A Cadiz man charged with setting a June fire at Trigg County Manor and then stealing a police vehicle and crashing it during the subsequent pursuit has been ordered to undergo a 360-day hospitalization following a mental evaluation.
57 year-old Lawrence McCarthy was indicted by a Trigg County grand jury last month on charges of First-Degree Arson; two counts of felony theft; Fleeing and Evading Police; five counts of Wanton Endangerment; and four counts of felony Criminal Mischief.
He is charged with setting a fire at Trigg Manor on June 16. As emergency personnel were helping evacuate residents from the building, police say McCarthy then stole a Trigg County Sheriff’s vehicle and led them on a chase that ended on the Lawrence Memorial Bridge when McCarthy crashed into two vehicles and construction materials.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Carrie Ovey-Wiggins made a request in Trigg County Circuit Court Wednesday for McCarthy to undergo a 360-day involuntary hospitalization.
Judge C.A. Woodall agreed with the motion and ordered McCarthy’s hospitalization. The attorneys will revisit the case at a future court hearing.