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Mental evaluation of suspect in Winchester arson case ordered

April 01, 2008|Fred Petke

State psychologists will determine whether a Winchester woman charged with setting her apartment on fire is competent to stand trial.

Joyce Bowling, 51 of 257 Ridgeway Drive, was ordered on March 25 to be evaluated at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center to see if she is able to stand trial, according to court documents in Clark District Court. Her preliminary hearing in district court was postponed until April 23 to allow for the evaluation to be completed.

Bowling reported there would be a fire at her apartment on March 6, calling Winchester Police at 3:46 a.m., according to court documents. At 8:52 a.m. that dayWinchester Fire-EMS was called to her apartment and found smoke showing. The fire itself was quickly extinguished and was contained to the bathroom.

Winchester Fire-EMS Maj. Greg Beam said the fire was definitely intentionally set, but wouldn't elaborate on how it started.

"It was not accidental," he said, adding there was no evidence of any accelerants being used to help start the fire.

Bowling lived alone and was not injured.

Bowling's apartment was one of four units in her building. None of the other units were damaged.

Winchester Police Detective Pat Adkins obtained the warrant on March 10, charging Bowling with first-degree arson. The warrant was served on Bowling on March 19 at the Eastern State Hospital, according to the arrest citation.

A not guilty plea was automatically entered when Bowling was arraigned in district court. She was scheduled for a preliminary hearing March 26, which would determine whether there was enough probable cause to justify the charges. The court clerk's office did not show any other criminal cases in Bowling's past.

Her bond was set at $20,000 cash.

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