Man facing charges in Door County supper club fire will undergo mental evaluation
STURGEON BAY - A Sturgeon Bay man facing arson charges for a fire that extensively damaged a popular area supper club and the apartments above it will undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine his mental condition at the time of the incident.
Jonathan J. Polich, 33, entered pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to two counts of arson of a building without the owner's consent, both Class C felonies, during a Dec. 14 arraignment in Door County Circuit Court. The charges stem from an Oct. 23 fire at Mr. G's Logan Creek Grille on State 57 south of Jacksonport that caused no reported injuries but extensive damage to the restaurant, which was closed for the season at the time and has been for sale.
A follow-up conference held Jan. 5 saw Judge Todd Ehlers order an NGI (not guilty by reason of insanity) evaluation for Polich. The prosecution and defense agreed to have clinical psychologist Dr. Steven Benson conduct the evaluation. A status conference is scheduled for March 3 to report the results.
A trial date has not yet been set. If the case goes to trial with the not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease pleas still in effect, a jury would first determine if Polich is innocent or guilty of the charges. Then if he is found guilty, they would decide if he had a mental disease or defect that caused the crime.
Polich remains in Door County Jail on $250,000 cash bond.
Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.
MORE: New band of bluegrass vets plays White Gull dinner concert series
MORE: Wisconsin DNR to present options to restore Potawatomi State Park tower
FOR MORE DOOR COUNTY NEWS: Check out our website
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Sturgeon Bay man facing charges in supper club fire will be evaluated
