Judge to Determine if Accused
Arsonist is Competent to Stand Trial

An Elk County judge is expected to determine soon whether a man accused of burning down a Ridgway house last summer is competent to stand trial.

22-year-old Philip Wolfel is accused of setting the Depot Street house on fire in August, a couple of hours after he was charged in connection to a fight he had with one of the residents of the house.

All the people in the house escaped, but a 16-year-old boy was treated at Elk Regional Health Center because he was having difficulty breathing several hours after the fire.

Wolfel is facing 23 charges including attempted homicide, arson, and causing a catastrophe.

During a hearing Friday, the judge heard arguments concerning Wolfel’s competency and, at that time, said he would make a ruling to a week to 10 days.

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