A woman charged with arson at a Novato church is not mentally competent to stand trial, according to a court-ordered evaluation.
The findings on Denise Irene Roberts, 61, prompted Marin County Superior Court Judge Kevin Murphy to suspend criminal proceedings on Wednesday. Roberts will undergo an evaluation to determine if she needs to be placed in a state hospital.
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Murphy set the next hearing for Sept. 18. Roberts, a Santa Clara resident, remains in custody at the Marin County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.
Officers arrested Roberts for allegedly burning a Nativity scene and other religious displays outside Christ Church North Bay on July 12. Roberts had “religious delusions” that caused her offenses, Novato police alleged.
She was charged with felony arson of a structure or forest land, and felony arson of property. The Marin County District Attorney’s Office also added hate crime allegations to her charges.
Her public defender, Jeff Mitchell, declined to comment after the hearing Wednesday.
