Judge Orders Evaluation of Suspected Arsonist
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge on Tuesday ordered a psychiatric evaluation for an Iranian immigrant charged with arson and hate crimes in connection with a series of fires set at houses of worship in Encino earlier this year.
Farshid Tehrani, 40, was charged in May with 12 counts of arson and terrorism involving the fires. He pleaded not guilty.
Judge Jessica Perrin Silvers suspended the criminal case, pending the outcome of evaluations by two psychiatrists who will advise the court on Tehrani’s competency to stand trial.
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