I really agree with you on this. This is not a person who belongs with the general population in prison. He is not equipped to take care of himself in any way. He needs to be protected from himself and others. By the Judge's response regarding his denial of mental illness, I would have to surmise that the Judge doesn't really understand what mental illness is. This guy is not a deliberately evil or manipulative person. This is an adult sized child, with delusions. He should be in a mental Hospital, not a prison. And Justice was not served in this case. Just my opinion.

I always tell anyone that I know-they say they're crazy-they just want you to think that. It's the one's that think they aren't that really scare me!

This is a case of poor journalism. More than likely he was using something (drugs or alcohol) that was causing him to be paranoid. He knew what he was doing when he set that fire. Being mentally ill doesn't mean you are free to do whatever you want and all you get is hospitalized. This guy, since he is ill will most likely be getting mental health treatment in prison... in one of those places for the "criminally insane", not in the hospital with people that just need some medication to be well.

I live in Ephrata and knew of him (a few years younger then me), always seemed kinda weird!
Not violent or intimidating, just not all there!

This guy should be treated for his mental health condition and not simply locked up in a state prision and punished. I'm not saying punishment is due here, after all I live near the church office he burned and it could've just as easy been an occupied house he torched...but with that being said!
Being locked up will not help this guy if not treated for his underlying problems! It's obvious to everyone (including the judge) that he has mental health issues but yet the judge sentenced him to a max.10 years in state prision. (I second the motion "murderers get less time")

I think sometimes that not only the public but also the legal officials forget that prision isn't just for punishment but also for "Rehibilitation". this should be a case with a strong emphasis on Rehilibitation not just punishment!

I still can't get my head around the woman who mowed down three people and received just nine years. Add to that the Bishop of Phoenix hitting and killing a man and then running from the scene to hide out while he tried to get someone to fix his windshield where the man crashed through and then over and under his car. And the Bishop received probation and no jail time... breaking every one of his priestly vows to aid the injured and administer the Last Rites.

What is very sad is that stable, wealthy people can get away with murder and a seemingly poor soul such as this guy doesn't stand a chance because the judicial system just isn't equipped or knowledgeable enough to handle the mentally disabled. And they end up in the general prison population where they will receive substandard mental health care and become an easy target for violent convicted individuals. And because they are mentally not all there, if they do not understand or follow guards orders to a tee, there is no room for 'understanding' and they can end up tazed, forcibly restrained, and thrown in a solitary cell because that is how a recalcitrant prisoner is dealt with, with no 'mercy' for not following the rules.