Nov 20, 2009 9:53 am US/Pacific
Station Fire Suspect Sent To Mental Institution
LOS ANGELES (AP) ―
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Babatunsin Olukunle was declared mentally incompetent to stand trial last month and was sent to an institution until a judge declares him competent.
CBS
A homeless man charged with setting a small wildfire days before the Station Fire erupted in the Angeles National Forest has been sent to a mental institution.
Babatunsin Olukunle didn't appear for a Pasadena court hearing Thursday. Court officials say he was declared mentally incompetent to stand trial last month and was sent to an institution until a judge declares him competent.
He's pleaded not guilty to recklessly setting a fire.
The 25-year-old transient is charged with setting an August fire in the mountains northeast of Los Angeles that burned a small patch of brush.
Six days later, the 250-square-mile Station Fire erupted a few miles away, contributing to two firefighters' deaths.
Investigators say they have questioned Olukunle about the Station Fire and will do so again.
(© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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