LAKEPORT— Nickelina Rosa Williams, was present and in custody for a recent preliminary hearing at the Lakeport Superior Court in regards to a charge of a recent arson.
Williams. 38, of Fallon, Nevada, was arrested by California Highway Patrol (CHP) in October after being suspected of starting a fire along State Route–29 in Lake County.
A wildfire was reported along SR-29 October 13, 2021 and CHP responded to the scene, where a group of motorists were attempting to put out the fire.
An officer at the scene noticed Williams walking southbound on Highway 29, away from the fire’s initial ignition. She denied knowing about the fire, yet an officer located a lighter and ignition material matching evidence that was located at the fire.
Court appointed Attorney Sterling Thayer, Jr. in October as counsel for the defendant, who declared a doubt as to the defendant’s ability to stand trial pursuant to Penal Code 1368. The court ordered the proceedings suspended and ordered Dr. Taylor Fithian and Dr. Luigi Piciucco appointed to evaluate the defendant and prepare a report regarding the defendant’s mental competency to stand trial.
Penal Code 1368PC is the California statute that sets forth the state’s laws on a defendant’s mental competency to stand trial. If a judge or counsel believes a defendant is not mentally competent, then he/she must state that belief on the record and may order a hearing to determine if the defendant is, in fact, incompetent.
The matter has been set for a doctors’ report hearing on Nov. 30, 2021 at 9 a.m. in Department 2.
The defendant has been charged with felony arson of forest land, felony arson during a state of emergency and possessing material/device for arson.
During a hearing last month Williams advised the Court that her true and correct name is Nickelina Rosa Sillifant. The charging document was amended on its face to reflect an AKA of Nickelina Rosa Sillifant.
Williams remains in custody at the Lake County jail with bail set at $35,000.
