Anthony Wayne Conley, 30, of Clearlake, was not present at the Lake County Superior Courthouse for a recent court hearing due to being admitted to the Napa State Hospital last month.
Conley is charged with four counts of attempted murder, one count of arson and one count of causing injury to an elder adult.
The charges stem from an incident in January when Conley was arrested for starting the fire at San Sousee adult care facility in Clearlake, which has a contract with Lake County Behavioral Health for clients being treated for mental health issues.
Clearlake Police offers responded to an early morning alarm at San Sousee, finding a two-story house completely engulfed in flames.
Officers evacuated the residence as the house began to burn out of control. Fire crews from the Lake County Fire Protection District protected nearby homes as additional engines arrived on the scene, and fire crews turned their full attention to extinguishing the fire.
Four individuals evacuated the structure.
According to CPD Sgt. Tim Hobbs, police suspected Conley (also a resident of San Sousee) willingly and intentionally started the fire knowing the home contained four other inhabitants.
On February 28th the Court found the defendant incompetent to stand trial and this matter was referred to CONREP for a placement recommendation. CONREP is the forensic Conditional Release Program for the California Department of State Hospitals’ statewide system of community-based services for specified forensic patients. CONREP was mandated a state responsibility by the Governor’s Mental Health Initiative of 1984, which took effect January 1, 1986.
On March 21st the defendant was found to be incompetent as a result of a developmental disability and this matter was referred to the Regional Center Director for a recommendation for placement.
The Court had also received a report from Dr. Holden, PhD and a letter from Dr. Blumberg in March as they do not find any evidence to substantiate that the defendant has a developmental disability, finding the defendant has a serious mental disorder.
During Conley’s Review Hearing, which was presided over by Judge Stephen Hedstrom, it was announced that the defendant was admitted to Napa State Hospital last month and the matter is continued for a 90 day review on July 25, 2017 at 8: 15 a.m. in Department 4. The defendant is not ordered to be present.
