Suspect in Brewster church fire to undergo additional competency evaluation

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Adam Finnegan is brought into Orleans District Court on Dec.3.Cape Cod Times/Merrily Cassidy

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ORLEANS ? The man charged with burning down the Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church was in court Thursday, but the judge delayed any action pending further evaluation on his competency to stand trial.

Adam Finnegan, 29, has been held without bail at Bridgewater State Hospital, which treats, evaluates and holds suspects with potential mental illness, since his arrest for allegedly destroying the 320-member church on Route 6A in Brewster.

The church burned to the ground Nov. 30. Police allege that Finnegan, who has a history of mental illness, briefly left his parents' home on Blueberry Pond Drive early that morning and set the fire. The Finnegans' home is less than two miles from the church.

A dangerousness hearing was scheduled for Thursday, but Orleans District Judge Brian Merrick delayed it until Feb. 4 after Finnegan's attorney argued that the competency evaluation by the state hospital was incomplete.

Attorney Colleen Duarte argued for an extra 20 days at the state hospital.
Merrick agreed.

?They say he's kind of competent but maybe not,? Merrick said, summing up the hospital's evaluation.

?They just need more time,? Duarte said.

Once the hospital's report is conclusive, Merrick will rule if Finnegan is competent.
In the dangerousness hearing, Merrick must decide if poses a danger to the community. Finnegan could be held without bail as a result.

Source: http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130111/NEWS/130119970/-1/rss01

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