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Alleged bomber gets 2nd testing |
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Friday, 02 October 2009 |
By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Staff Writer
A St. Marys teen accused of planting incendiary devices near a fuel pump at a local gasoline station last year is scheduled to undergo a second psychiatric evaluation.
Auglaize County Common Pleas Judge Frederick Pepple approved a request for a second evaluation for Jesse B. McDermitt, 18. In his ruling, Pepple ordered the evaluation be presented to the court by Nov. 6.
During a hearing in September, Pepple found McDermitt competent to stand trial on two counts each of carrying a concealed weapon, fourth-degree felonies, unlawful possession of a dangerous ordinance, fifth-degree felonies, and inducing panic, fourth-degree and fifth-degree felonies respectively, in connection with the December incident at the St. Marys Marathon. McDermitt under went an initial evaluation, but admitted to lying to evaluators.
Public Defender Mark Weller requested the second evaluation to determine McDermitt’s state of mind during the alleged offenses. Pepple initially took the matter under advisement before issuing his ruling.
The charges against McDermitt stem from a Dec. 2 incident where he allegedly placed incendiary devices near fuel pumps at the St. Marys Marathon Station. Employees at the gasoline station contacted police after discovering a black bag at one of the fuel pumps.
Members of the St. Marys Police and Fire departments, as well as the Allen County Bomb Squad, FBI and Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. The Allen County Bomb Squad detonated the device at the Marathon station.
Investigators located McDermitt — who quickly became the focus of the investigation — at the Townview Terrace Apartments, where he had a similar device strapped to his body. Officers removed the device, placed it in a dumpster and detonated it.
McDermitt was involved in a similar incident in 2006 at Wapakoneta High School.
If convicted, McDermitt faces a maximum of 7 1/2 years in prison and an $18,000 fine.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 05 October 2009 )
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