Landlord Charged With Arson Found Incompetent For Trial
SALISBURY, Md. (AP) -- A landlord accused of setting his tenants' Delmar home on fire has been found incompetent to stand trial.
A Wicomico County Circuit judge issued the ruling Monday regarding 43-year-old Andy Modeste of Seaford, Delaware.
Modeste is charged with attempted murder, arson and other offenses in the May 6, 2013 fire.
Authorities say Modeste set a fire in a crawl space of the home while Eduardo Machado and his family slept. The family escaped unharmed.
About 70 firefighters battled the blaze in the home before bringing it under control in about an hour.
The Daily Times of Salisbury reports that Modeste is in the custody of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and will receive treatment. His condition will be reviewed in a year.
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