Dundee Township arson suspect now fit for trial
A 27-year-old Elgin man who authorities say was basically caught red-handed in a West Dundee area arson has been declared fit to stand trial.
Phokam Prisayana, of the 400 block of East Chicago Street, previously was found unfit for trial in December and placed in the custody of the state's Department of Human Services for up to a year until his fitness could be restored, according to Kane County court records.
After receiving information about Prisayana's treatment, Judge D.J. Tegeler on Friday deemed Prisayana fit to stand trial on charges that carry a penalty ranging from probation to up to 15 years in prison.
A defendant's mental treatment plan and other evaluation reports are sealed under court order; however, the Kane County jail staff has been ordered to accept Prisayana's medications from the Elgin Mental Health Center, court records show.
Prisayana has been accused of setting fire the afternoon of Oct. 21, 2015, to a Dundee Township home on the 35W600 block of Tollgate Road, which caused an estimated $300,000 damage. No one was hurt in the blaze in which witnesses saw Prisayana holding a gas can outside the home shortly before the blaze began, according to a Kane County sheriff's report.
Neighbors detained Prisayana - who also was armed with a large meat cleaver - until authorities arrived. He also screamed at a woman in a foreign language and made a throat-slashing gesture toward her, according to the report.
Prisayana has been moved from a state mental facility back to the Kane County jail, where he was being held on $75,000 bail. He must post $7,500 to be released while the charges are pending.
He is next due in court May 19.