LAKE COUNTY — Nickelina Rose Williams. 39, of Fallon, Nevada, was arrested by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) last October after being suspected of starting a fire along State Route 29 in Lake County.
A wildfire was reported along Highway 29 on Oct. 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 point. She denied knowing about the fire, yet an officer located a lighter and ignition material matching evidence that was located at the fire.
During a recent hearing the defendant addressed the Court, stating she doesn’t believe her court-appointed attorney, Sterling Thayer, Jr., is correctly representing her.
The matter was recalled later that same afternoon and the Court was cleared of all persons with the exception of the defendant, the judge, the court reporter, the clerk and other necessary court staff.
The Court conducted a Marsden Hearing and the motion was denied.
A Marsden motion is the only means by which a criminal defendant can fire a court-appointed attorney or communicate directly with a judge in a California state court. The motion is based on a defendant’s claim that their attorney is providing ineffective assistance or has a conflict with the defendant.
The matter has been set for a review hearing on May 3 to ascertain if the defendant has been transported to the Department of State Hospitals (DSH).
In December of last year during a placement hearing, the Court ordered the defendant be committed/transported to the DSH for inpatient treatment.
The Court authorized the treatment facility may involuntarily administer anti-psychotic medications as prescribed by the defendant’s treating psychiatrist.
Last year, the defendant’s court appointed attorney, Thayer, Jr., declared doubt as to the defendant’s mental competency to stand trial. At that time the Court ordered the proceedings suspended and ordered Dr. Taylor Fithian and Dr.Luigi Piciucco be appointed to evaluate the defendant and prepare a report regarding the defendant’s mental competency to stand trial.
After the doctors’ reports were submitted, the court found Williams was incompetent to stand trial. The doctors’ reports were submitted into evidence and the matter was referred to the Community Program Director for a placement recommendation.
During that placement hearing, the Court received, read and considered the placement report from the Community Program Director/Designee, with care being provided through CONREP.
CONREP is a Conditional Release Program governed by the California Department of State Hospitals. It is a statewide system of community-based services which treats patients with various commitment types — mot guilty by reason of insanity, incompetent to stand trial, mentally disordered offenders and some parolees who have been released to outpatient status.
CONREP was mandated as a California State responsibility in 1984, and began operating in 1986. Patients have typically experienced lengthy hospital stays and in some cases served full prison sentences.
CONREP’s goal is to ensure public protection in California communities while providing an effective and standardized outpatient treatment system.
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 year, 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.
The defendant also has separate charges of vehicle theft and buying/selling/receiving stolen property in a separate Lake County matter.
