A man accused of starting a wildfire in Marinwood entered a not guilty plea in court Wednesday.
Judge Kelly Simmons suspended criminal proceedings for a 34-year-old man who was not housed and ordered him to undergo a mental competency examination to see if he is fit to stand trial. He remains in custody at the Marin County Jail, where his bond was set at $12,000.
The 18-hectare fire started near the Queenstone and Ponte fire roads on August 13. Evacuations were not ordered and no injuries were reported. Investigators later identified the suspect and arrested him after a brief struggle on Nave Road in Novato.
The Marin County Sheriff’s Office reported that the man had set a tent on fire and tried to put out the flames but left before making sure the fire was out.
On Wednesday, he pleaded not guilty to charges of resisting police.
Public defender Jeff Mitchell and prosecutor Rachel Minarovich declined to comment after the hearing. The man’s next appearance is set for September 24.
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