LAKEPORT— Kayla Renee Main was present and in custody at the Lake County Superior Court for a recent preliminary hearing. Main has been charged with arson of property, possessing material/device for arson and unlawful fire. She is also being charged with additional violations of probation that are trailing this case – resisting an executive officer, four counts of violating probation and vandalism.
Counsel for the defendant, attorney Thomas G. Feimer, declared a doubt as to the defendant’s ability to stand trial pursuant to PC1368. Penal Code 1368 is the California statute that sets forth the law on a defendant’s mental competency to stand trial.
The Court ordered the proceedings be suspended and ordered Dr. Taylor Fithian and Dr. J. Reid McKellar be appointed to evaluate the defendant and prepare a report regarding the defendant’s competency to stand trial.
During a hearing in August Feimer had declared a doubt as to the defendant’s competency. The most recent hearing, which has been set for Nov. 9, 2021 at 10 a.m. in Department 2, will be the second doctors’ report hearing this year.
In September, the doctors appointed to evaluate the defendant prepared and submitted reports as to the defendant’s competency and ability to stand trial.
Upon review of the reports, the Court ordered that the defendant was competent to stand trial and ordered the proceedings be reinstated.
Earlier this year, during an arraignment hearing, the defendant entered a not guilty plea to all counts of the complaint.
The charges stem from an incident last month when deputies from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 9000 block of Lake Street in Lower Lake for a report of an unknown female setting fires in the area.
Upon arrival, deputies talked to witnesses in the area who directed them to the north of their location where they spotted three partially extinguished fires. Each of the fires was approximately 50 feet from each other and approximately 12 square feet in size with a large amount of embers. Personnel from Lake County Fire Protection District soon responded and assisted in extinguishing the fires. No structures or out buildings were damaged by the fires.
Deputies remained in the area and spoke to a woman, later identified as Kayla Main. Deputies noticed Main was holding a butane lighter in her hand. Suspecting Main may be responsible for setting the fires, deputies asked if she had any involvement with the fires being started. Main initially told deputies she did not, but later admitted to starting the fires by accident. Main said she was attempting to find her cellphone and while doing so, she dropped her cigarette which caused the fire. Main admitted knowing the grassy area was extremely dry and would potentially catch fire due her dropping a lit cigarette.
Main was taken into custody for 451(d) P.C. – Arson of Property. Deputies learned Main was on formal felony probation out of Lake County and added the charge of 1203.2 P.C. – Felony Probation Violation. Main was taken to the Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked on the aforementioned charges.
During a hearing in July of this year the Court appointed Feimer as defense counsel for the defendant.
An investigator from the Lake County Fire Protection District assisted the Lake County Sheriff’s Office with the arson investigation.
Bail remains set at $50,000 for the arson charge and previous violations of probation.
