LOS ANGELES (AP) A man charged with arson, terrorism and hate
crimes in connection with fires at five houses of worship was
declared mentally incompetent to stand trial, putting his criminal
case on indefinite hold.
Judge Fred J. Fujioka on Friday ordered Farshid Tehrani, a
40-year-old Jewish Iranian immigrant, to be sent to Patton State
Hospital for treatment and psychiatric evaluations.
Tehrani's attorney, Lazier Gould, told a judge in July that his
client had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Deputy District Attorney Scott Millington said Friday he hoped
Tehrani would eventually be able to stand trial.
The fires Tehrani is accused of setting were at houses of
worship representing various faiths in the Encino area. No one was
injured in the fires, all in April and May. The fires damaged two
synagogues, a Presbyterian church, a Bahai Faith center and a
Jewish education center.
Gould said Friday he was pleased that Tehrani would receive
treatment, but he said he was frustrated that a long waiting list
at the hospital could prevent Tehrani from being sent there for at
least a few more months.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)