Holy Fire: Arson suspect's arraignment suspended after bizarre outbursts in Santa Ana court

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Friday, August 17, 2018
Holy Fire: Suspect's arraignment suspended after bizarre outbursts in court
Arson suspect Forrest Gordon Clark, 51, is seen in a Santa Ana courtroom on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. His arraignment was suspended after he made multiple outbursts.

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- The man accused of starting the 22,986-acre Holy Fire in the Cleveland National Forest appeared at an arraignment in Santa Ana on Friday that was suspended by a judge after multiple outbursts from the defendant.



Forrest Gordon Clark, 51, is suspected of igniting the massive blaze that is 85 percent contained after prompting thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. The slew of charges against him includes aggravated arson, arson of inhabited property, arson of forest, criminal threats, resisting and deterring an executive officer and arson burning multiple structures.





RELATED: Holy Fire burns thousands of acres as it moves close to SoCal homes



On Friday morning, Clark stated that he was not guilty although he had not been asked to enter a plea. He then continued rambling even as the judge ordered a temporary recess of the proceeding.



Bizarrely, Clark at one point addressed the tie that a man in the courtroom was wearing. The judge said she doubted the competency of the defendant, who said his "live energy is being transmitted."





RELATED: What's in wildfire smoke? How it can impact your health



Clark then stood up on a bench, pointed to members of the media and held up what appeared to be an envelope with writing on it.



The judge announced she was suspending the hearing until Clark's competency can be evaluated by two doctors.



Click here for more on the wildfires burning in California.

Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.