Libertyville arson suspect to be evaluated

The defense attorneys for a Libertyville man accused of setting four fires told a Lake County judge Wednesday that their client will undergo a psychological evaluation. Kyle Kowal, 26, is charged with multiple counts of arson and attempted arson in the March 24 fires and also is accused of burglarizing a restaurant on the same morning. Defense attorneys Michael Perillo and Laura Horner told Circuit Judge Daniel Shanes they intend to have a psychologist visit their client in the Lake County jail, where he is held on $500,000 bond, within the next week to do the evaluation. Police said Kowal started fires at houses on the 200 block of Homewood Avenue, the 200 block of Homewood Drive, the 300 block of Laurel Avenue and the 200 block of West Cook Avenue. In addition, he is charged with breaking into the Picnic Basket restaurant in the 200 block of West Cook Avenue. Shanes ordered the parties to the case to return to court May 9 for a status report on the evaluation. Assistant State’s Attorney Rod Drobinski said Kowal faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.