MT CLEMENS (WWJ) – A Detroit man accused of intentionally setting fire to a Macomb County work van has been found incompetent to stand trial, but restorable.
Jesse Young, 36, appeared in 41-B District Court in Mt. Clemens for his probable cause hearing related to the January incident. While he was determined incompetent to stand trial, the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office says he will undergo the process of competency restoration.
It is the process used to reestablish competency before the legal process can continue. Young is expected to regain competency through treatment, though officials didn’t offer a timeline as to when that could happen.
Young is accused of intentionally burning the work van in a parking structure connected to the Administration Building in Macomb County’s Central Campus on January 29.
Authorities allege he set the fire around 2 a.m. that day, causing potential damage to the parking structure, but the Mt. Clemens Fire Department and Macomb County Sheriff’s Department responded promptly and the fire was extinguished.
Structural engineers reportedly determined the integrity of the parking structure was not compromised by the fire, officials said back in January.
Young was arraigned the following day on felony charges of third-degree and fourth-degree arson. While authorities have described Young as a “serial arsonist,” officials have not released any details on the previous alleged fires.
A motive in the case is not clear.
Young’s next court date is scheduled for July 24.
“As a prosecutor, our primary duty is to seek justice and protect our communities. In this case the defendant has been found incompetent to stand trial at this time. However, mental health professionals are assisting the defendant in regaining competency so that he may face the charges against him,” Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido said, per a press release.
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