Defense: SD Man Accused Of Arson Was Insane
by Associated Press
February 21, 2013 1:36 PM
A Box Elder man accused of trying to burn down his mobile home while his live-in girlfriend and another man were inside was insane at the time.
That's according to a psychological evaluation of Joseph Hodges commissioned by his defense team. Hodges is charged with arson and reckless burning.
The Pennington County deputy state's attorney Tracey Decker has requested that the state do its own evaluation, which Seventh Circuit Judge Janine Kern has agreed to.
Kern also denied a request to lower Hodge's bond from $100,000. Hodges faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted.
