Hearing for suspect in arson fire at Tacoma mosque halted after court outburst
by Jonathan Choe, KOMO News
(KOMO News) A court arraignment in Pierce County for a man accused of intentionally setting a fire at a local mosque in Tacoma two weeks ago was abruptly halted Wednesday after the suspect had an outburst in court
The Pierce County District Court judge ordered a mental evaluation for Joseph Rodriguez after he shouted at the judge about her actions. She had admonished him to be silent, but he ignored her advice.
“You know full well I should be in an institution, not jail!” he said. “If that’s what you think
Attorneys for Rodriguez, who is facing a first-degree arson charge, still pleaded not guilty on his behalf after he was escorted out of the courtroom. Authorities said attempted murder charges could be added later since worshippers were inside the mosque at the time, but they’re still trying to gather more evidence and are waiting on results from his mental health evaluation.
