NH fire suspect not competent to stand trial

BERLIN (AP) – A judge says a man accused of setting multiple fires in Berlin isn’t competent to stand trial.

The ruling means that charges have been dismissed against 27-year-old Kerry Tibbetts, but he faces a hearing into whether he is a danger to himself or others. WMUR-TV reports the judge also ruled that Tibbetts can’t be restored to competency in the next 12 months.

Tibbetts was arrested in January and indicted on nine counts of arson. He was accused of setting multiple fires in 19 months. Court documents said Tibbetts told investigators he burned the buildings to relieve stress. He said he burned one because his father abused him there.