Hearing rescheduled on prosecution plans in UGA Library fire

<p>Attorneys for the defense and prosecution were granted four extra days to prepare for a hearing in the case of the homeless man accused of setting fire to the University of Georgias Main Library last summer.</p><p>The hearing, originally scheduled for Monday, will be held on Friday in Clarke County Superior Court.</p><p>One possible issue will be the mental state of 19-year-old Jason Allen Nelms when he allegedly started the July 23 blaze that caused more than $1.5 million in damages to the Main Library on North Campus.</p><p>The court will review the status of the case and set further procedures at that time, Judge David Sweat wrote in a recent order.</p><p>Nelms attorneys had previously filed a notice of intent to raise the issue of insanity, mental incompetence or mental retardation in defense of two counts of arson.</p><p>Sweat in November said he was unable to comment on whether a psychological examination had been or would be ordered for Nelms, as such an order would be done under seal. A sealed order in the case was filed with the court one week after the notice to raise mental issues had been filed.</p><p>The fire was contained to the second floor, where it destroyed a storage room housing used computer equipment. There was smoke damage on each of the librarys nine levels.</p><p>Nelms, who pleaded not guilty when arraigned in September, has been held without bond at the Clarke County Jail since his July 29 arrest.</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/2/177058