Arson Suspect Found Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity

An arson suspect has been found not guilty by reason of insanity.

26-year-old Joseph Wrischnik of Effingham was arrested at the scene of a fire that destroyed an apartment building on South 4th Street in Effingham last November. At Wrischnik's initial court appearance, Judge Allan Lolie noted in the records that a "likely fitness motion" could occur.

(WRISCHNIK)

An order was entered in December that Wrischnik was unfit to assist in his defense and was assigned for treatment. In April, the Court ruled that Wrischnik had been restored to fitness, but he was evaluated as to the appropriateness of a not guilty by reason of insanity ruling, and that ruling has been determined to be appropriate.

In court Tuesday, Judge Lolie entered the not guilty by reason of insanity verdict and assigned Wrischnik to the Illinois Department of Human Services for treatment. However, the State is currently not accepting transfers to state facilities due to the pandemic. Judge Lolie scheduled a status hearing for July 21 to see whether Wrischnik has been accepted by DHS.