2008 Woodie Awards
Arson suspect prelim exam to take place Thursday
Desjardins competent to stand trial
By: David Veselenak
Issue date: 1/9/08 Section: News
Arson suspect Evan Thomas Dejardins is scheduled to appear in court Thursday for a preliminary examination.
Court officials said Desjardins could continue to face charges for his role in the September arson of Pizza King because of a judge's ruling during a hearing Dec. 28.
"He was found competent to stand trial," said Lance Dexter, court administrator for Isabella County Court House.
Isabella County Prosecuting Attorney Larry Burdick said the ruling was based on a psychological evaluation done at the Michigan Forensics Center in Ypsilanti.
Desjardins is charged with the alleged arson of Pizza King, 714 Preston St., on Sept. 21. He also faces charges of arson preparation and larceny in a building.
Burdick said the case is back on its original track after Desjardin's attorney, Ghazey Aleck, requested the competency exam.
"The case is getting back on its original schedule," Burdick said.
Aleck did not return calls for comment.
A preliminary examination has been scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Thursday. After the examination, Desjardins is expected to be arraigned on the charges within two weeks, Burdick said.
He said a trial date will not be set until the preliminary examination is completed this week. Burdick expects a trial date to be set in late February, with the trial starting in late March or early April.
Levi Henning, owner of Pizza King, said, in a previous issue of Central Michigan Life, that he plans to reopen the establishment on Bluegrass Road near CoCo Joe's.
Former employee and CMU alumnus Ben Hall said the new location will be beneficial to his business.
"I hope it all works out for him," Hall said. "I think (the location) will get him more business."
news@cm-life.com
Court officials said Desjardins could continue to face charges for his role in the September arson of Pizza King because of a judge's ruling during a hearing Dec. 28.
"He was found competent to stand trial," said Lance Dexter, court administrator for Isabella County Court House.
Isabella County Prosecuting Attorney Larry Burdick said the ruling was based on a psychological evaluation done at the Michigan Forensics Center in Ypsilanti.
Desjardins is charged with the alleged arson of Pizza King, 714 Preston St., on Sept. 21. He also faces charges of arson preparation and larceny in a building.
Burdick said the case is back on its original track after Desjardin's attorney, Ghazey Aleck, requested the competency exam.
"The case is getting back on its original schedule," Burdick said.
Aleck did not return calls for comment.
A preliminary examination has been scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Thursday. After the examination, Desjardins is expected to be arraigned on the charges within two weeks, Burdick said.
He said a trial date will not be set until the preliminary examination is completed this week. Burdick expects a trial date to be set in late February, with the trial starting in late March or early April.
Levi Henning, owner of Pizza King, said, in a previous issue of Central Michigan Life, that he plans to reopen the establishment on Bluegrass Road near CoCo Joe's.
Former employee and CMU alumnus Ben Hall said the new location will be beneficial to his business.
"I hope it all works out for him," Hall said. "I think (the location) will get him more business."
news@cm-life.com
