(KNSI) – A Stearns County judge has ordered an arson suspect to undergo a mental health examination to see if he is fit to stand trial.
The case was put on hold against Reiss Atterbury, 35, while authorities assess his mental abilities.The St. Cloud man pleaded not guilty to first-degree arson charges Thursday. . He allegedly set fire to his own apartment on his 4000th block on North 12th Street on January 12th.
Firefighters found the unit on fire and put out the fire in the kitchen area. The oven door was open and there was a large amount of burning debris inside and in front of the oven, including partially melted gas cans and rolls of toilet paper. The oven knob was set at 450-500 degrees. Police also say they found three separate fire areas and a disconnected smoke detector in the living room area. Shown to be indifferent to the possibility of fire.
The complaint also states that Atterbury told police he had bipolar disorder and suffered from delusions. Atterbury’s next trial date is set for him on May 5th.
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