Crime & Safety

Accused Firebomber to Undergo Competency Evaluation in Grosse Pointe Park

The defense attorney representing a Grosse Pointe Park resident accused of firebombing the home of Art Van Furniture's president has requested the man undergo an evaluation to determine whether he is competent to stand trial.

The 20-year-old Grosse Pointe Park man accused of throwing a molotov cocktail through the window of a home on Whittier Road earlier this month will undergo a competency evaluation at his attorney's request. 
Charles Patterson Kay is charged with three felonies: second degree arson, sending an explosive with intent to cause damage and possession of a molotov cocktail. He was scheduled to have a preliminary exam in Grosse Pointe Park Municipal Court Wednesday. 
The preliminary exam is a hearing in which prosecutors introduce the evidence against the accused and the judge determines whether it's sufficient enough for the prosecutor to continue pursuing the case.
Rather than having that hearing, his attorney, Ray Cassar, requested Kay undergo the evaluation to determine his competency to stand trial in the case, according to Maria Miller, spokeswoman for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. 
The request was granted, which means Kay will not be back in court until the evaluation is finished and the findings report is submitted to the court. 
Miller estimated Kay's return to court to be in August. 
The evaluation includes a psychologist determining whether Kay understands his environment generally and the charges against him.
He was arrested shortly after Grosse Pointe Park police were called to the home of Gary and Janet Van Elslander in the 700 block of Whittier Road May 17. Gary Van Elslander is the president of Art Van Furniture. 
A fire alarm woke one of the residents, who found the molotov cocktail partially ignited in the kitchen. A home fire extinguisher was used to put out the fire. 


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