IDAHO FALLS — Court proceedings have been delayed after a suspected arsonist was committed to a state mental hospital.
A psychological evaluation of 41-year-old Jason Schlegel was ordered just days after his arrested in connection to the Brady’s fire at 1445 E. Lincoln Road in Idaho Falls.
Prosecutors say the results of a psychiatrist’s examination deemed Schlegel was incompetent to participate in court proceedings.
Schlegel has been committed to State Hospital South located in Blackfoot for further evaluation and to provide treatment in an attempt to restore him to competency, according to Bonneville County Deputy Prosecutor John Dewey.
Schlegel faces one charge of second-degree arson, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
A status conference to report on Schlegel’s progress has been scheduled for late April.
Defendants who suffer from a severe mental illness during the time a crime has been committed and are incapable of communicating with their attorney will typically receive treatment in a mental hospital to restore them to sanity so they can actively participate in court proceedings.
Police say Schlegel is the man seen in this surveillance video setting fire to Brady’s.
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