Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published February 12, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified February 12, 2007 at 9:01 PM

E-mail E-mail article      Print Print      Share Share

Mental competency of man arrested in lighter-fluid attack to be evaluated

The mental competency of a man charged with dousing three people with lighter fluid in downtown Seattle will be evaluated while he is in custody at the King County Jail, a judge ruled this morning.

Seattle Times staff reporter

The mental competency of a man charged with dousing three people with lighter fluid in downtown Seattle will be evaluated while he is in custody at the King County Jail, a judge ruled this morning.

King County Superior Court Judge Helen Halpert ordered the evaluation, which will determine whether Paul Pearson understands the charges against him and can aid in his defense, at Pearson's first appearance today.

Pearson, a 50-year-old man whose last known address was a mental-health clinic downtown, is charged with two counts of first-degree assault for allegedly throwing lighter fluid on Gus Jones, Kristen McKie and Vicki Buckley on Jan. 31in downtown Seattle. Buckley's hair and the clothing of both women were singed, according to court documents.

Jones, 82, was doused with lighter fluid but he fought Pearson off with his cane and was not set on fire, court documents said.

Jones was recognized as a good Samaritan at a Seattle Police Officers' Guild ceremony this afternoon where he was presented with a new cane to replace the one he damaged when he struck Pearson.

According to court records, mental illness has plagued Pearson for decades. Pearson, who appeared unkempt and disheveled at his court hearing, has been appeared in King County Mental Health Court numerous times after a series of arrests for petty crimes.

E-mail E-mail article      Print Print      Share Share

More Local News

UPDATE - 09:46 AM
Exxon Mobil wins ruling in Alaska oil spill case

NEW - 7:51 AM
Longview man says he was tortured with hot knife

Longview man says he was tortured with hot knife

Longview mill spills bleach into Columbia River

NEW - 8:00 AM
More extensive TSA searches in Sea-Tac Airport rattle some travelers

More Local News headlines...

advertising


Get home delivery today!

Video

Advertising

AP Video

Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech

Marketplace

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 

Most viewed imagesMore

Advertising