A Marin County Superior Court judge suspended criminal proceedings to allow a church arson suspect to be evaluated to see if she’s mentally competent to stand trial.
Denise Irene Roberts, 61, of Santa Clara is accused of burning a Nativity scene and other religious displays outside Christ Church North Bay in Novato on July 12. No injuries were reported and the main church building was not damaged.
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Roberts was charged with felony arson of a structure or forest land, and felony arson of property. Both charges have hate crime allegations.
Novato police alleged that Roberts experienced “religious delusions” that caused her actions.
Roberts did not appear in court Thursday when she was scheduled to enter her plea. Her public defender, Jeff Mitchell, told Judge Geoffrey Howard that he had a “strong doubt” about his client’s competency when he visited her recently.
Howard scheduled Roberts’ next hearing for Aug. 25.
Mitchell declined to comment on the allegations against Roberts.
Roberts remains in custody at the Marin County Jail, where her bail is set at $250,000.