Teen suspect in car fire found incompetent

A 19-year-old Huron man accused of charges related to a car fire last September in Mitchell has been ruled incompetent to stand trial.

Patrick Red Legs is charged with intentional property damage and reckless burning for allegedly helping to set a car on fire Sept. 9 near the 90 block of West Second Avenue with two other men.

In October, Red Legs pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and a psychiatric evaluation was ordered.

“(Red Legs) has had issues concerning self-harm, and has been in dire need of treatment,” said Doug Papendick, Red Legs’ court-appointed attorney.

Davison County Deputy State’s Attorney Bob O’Keefe did not object to the findings of the psychiatric evaluation, which found Red Legs unfit to stand trial.

Judge Tim Bjorkman ordered Red Legs be committed to the custody of the South Dakota Human Services Center in Yankton for treatment and set a status hearing for June.

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