Arson Case Hearing Postponed Competency Decision Delayed So Defendant Can Get A Second Psychological Review

Fri., July 21, 2000

By Mike Roarke mikero@spokesman.com

Authorities call him George Bayes. He calls himself Johnnie Rossie.

And on Thursday, the 51-year-old accused of starting three fires and breaking into as many homes appeared in court to address whether he is competent to stand trial.

Fire investigators say that, since his arrest in May, Bayes has confessed in detail to the crimes he is accused of committing two months ago.

He faces two counts of first-degree arson, three counts of residential burglary, and a single count of theft of a firearm. An additional count of second-degree arson is expected. Although Bayes wants to plead guilty to the charges - according to a letter he wrote - his defense attorney has asked the court to determine whether he is competent to make that decision.

One psychological review has been conducted, and Thursday’s hearing was postponed to allow time for another. The court-ordered reviews are confidential.

In a letter to Spokane County Superior Court Judge Greg Sypolt, Bayes explained that he wants to be locked up for a long time. The letter, which appears in court files, is signed Johnnie Rossie.

Fire investigators say Bayes is familiar with the Spokane area and has a criminal record. He was recently living in Bakersfield, Calif.

In an interview with Fire Capt. Joel Fielder, Bayes said he was compelled to return to Spokane in May after he saw his name on an Internet listing of sex offenders.

Police agencies in California typically do not post the names of sex offenders on the Internet. A database, however, is maintained through the state attorney general’s office.

Bayes said he packed a bag and immediately went to a train station, bought a two-week pass and rode his way back to Spokane. He then took up residence in a field and allegedly started burglarizing and torching homes.

One fire Bayes is accused of starting, at 2127 E. 34th, seriously damaged the inside of a vacant home, which was for sale at $174,000. Gasoline was used to ignite the blaze.

Another fire, at 705 S. Maple, was started in the hallway closet. It was snuffed out when the door was shut.

Fielder said Bayes also tried to burn down a business at 106 S. Adams but was thwarted by a sprinkler system.

Bayes burglarized one of those homes, and two others unrelated to the arsons, according to court documents. Bayes took a firearm and other household items in the burglaries, Fielder said. Some of the items were recovered in local pawn shops.

Bayes turned himself in to authorities on May 16, after eating steak and prawns at Cavanaughs River Inn. He did not pay for the $34 dinner, according to Spokane police.

At the hearing Thursday, lawyers agreed to postpone arguments on Bayes’ mental competency. Another evaluation - in addition to one performed at Eastern State Hospital - is expected and is the main reason for the delay. The public defender representing Bayes, John Stine, could not be reached for comment.

Bayes spoke little during the hearing, which was done over closed-circuit television. When he found out his competency hearing was being pushed back, he seemed pleased.

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