Arson suspect ruled innocent by reason of insanity

PORT ANGELES — A man accused of starting or trying to start a string of fires last year in Port Angeles, including one at City Hall, has been ruled innocent by reason of insanity.

Clallam County Superior Court Judge Pro Tempore Gary Sund on Wednesday granted a defense motion for acquittal on arson charges against John Douglas Deckebach, 39, after a Western State Hospital psychologist testified that Deckebach is mentally ill.

Deckebach remained in custody at the Clallam County jail Thursday.

A disposition hearing will be held in a few weeks to determine where Deckebach will live, said his attorney, John Hayden of Clallam-Jefferson Public Defenders.

Hayden said he anticipates Deckebach will be placed in a structured living situation.

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The rest of this story appears in Friday’s Peninsula Daily News.

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