Lynn man not competent for arson trial

SALEM – A Superior Court judge has found a 60-year-old former Lynn man who set a series of fires in trash barrels and dumpsters around downtown causing one house to sustain nearly $10,000 in damages during a crime spree in March of 2009, not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility.During a jury-waived trial Friday in Salem Superior Court Judge Howard J. Whitehead determined that Isidoro Taveras is not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility due to mental illness.In handing down his decision, Whitehead explained that he had read several psychiatric and psychological reports both from the prosecutor and defense regarding Taveras and his mental illness. He further explained that Taveras has been complying with a medicine regiment for two years without incident while being free.Assistant District Attorney John B. Brennan and defense lawyer Christopher S. Skinner experts all agree that Taveras does suffer from mental defect and lacked the capacity at the time of the incidents to conform to the requirements of the law.The case was continued until Sept. 14 at which time Whitehead will determine if Taveras should be committed to Bridgewater State Hospital for a further evaluation or if he can remain free with outpatient psychiatric care and continue reporting to probation, a position sought by Skinner.?The question, Whitehead said, “is whether Taveras is a danger to himself and others.”In the meantime, Taveras, who now lives in Lawrence, remains free with the conditions he continues taking his prescribed medication, counseling and reporting to probation.Taveras stood charged with burning a dwelling house, attempting to burn a building as well as two counts of burning personal property in connection with various fires started on March 25, 2009 in Lynn.Brennan presented the following evidence that, on March 25, Lynn Police Officer Michael Crosby said he was dispatched to a homeless shelter at 100 Willow St., at 2 a.m. on a report of an unwanted person.The man, later identified as Taveras, was found locked in a bathroom and was lighting cigarettes, causing smoke through out the facility.Taveras was removed from the shelter but seemed agitated, Crosby testified.Then, minutes later, police were called to the Hess Gas station nearby at 120 Liberty St., where several plastic bags were ablaze. The bags were the same plastic bags Taveras was holding when he left the shelter.Nearly two hours later, police received multiple reports of fires.Firefighters responded to a Dumpster fire at 15 Franklin St., and another 80 Market St.Then a trash barrel fire was put out at the Global Gas Station located at 180 Boston St. The barrel was directly next to the gas pumps which almost caused the gas station to explode, according to reports.In the meantime, firefighters received a final call at about 4 a.m., concerning a fire at the back of 87 Franklin St., where nearly $10,000 in damage was caused to the back of the home after several trash barrels were set ablaze and the fire extended into the back of the vinyl sided three-family home. All nine people living there were safely evacuated from the building.Taveras, who was not on medication when the fires happened, reeked of smoke at the time police questioned him.Fire Lt. David Legere also testified Friday, saying all the fires were in close proximity of each other, “one straight line,” and “intentionally” ignited.