A man who told police that he poured charcoal lighter fluid on his body and lit himself on fire has been found not fit to proceed following a psychological examination, it was announced in Baxter County Circuit Court/Criminal Division October 6.
Fifty-four-year-old William Herren, Sr., of Norfork is charged with arson.
In late May, Herren’s attorney indicated his client intended to rely on a mental disease or defect defense.
A mental evaluation was set for July 2 and Herren was found not fit to proceed based on that examination.
After such a finding it is normal for the person to be placed in the custody of the Arkansas Department of Human Services for custody and treatment to restore his fitness to proceed.
According to the probable cause affidavit, police were called to the Executive Inn September 24 to respond to a reported fire in one of the rooms.
When police officers and personnel from the Mountain Home Fire Department arrived, they found Herren lying outside room 118 which had been rented to him. He was taken to a safe location and did speak to police.
Herren is alleged to have told officers he had set himself on fire and that he “needed to die.”
Damage to the motel property was estimated at $100,000.
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