GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – An attorney has asked for a competency exam for a man accused of breaking into an Allouez church and setting a fire.
18-year-old Mackenzie Guillen is charged with burglary, arson, and three misdemeanor criminal damage to property charges for the April 30 incident in which he allegedly smashed a window to gain access to the church, and then set fire to papers on the floor of the church’s gathering space.
Additionally, the staff of St. Matthew Catholic Parish has sent a letter to the court not asking for punishment, but rather psychiatric treatment.
Both police and family have said that Guillen has mental health issues.
His attorney requested a competency evaluation on Thursday that would determine if Guillen understands the proceedings and can assist in his own defense.
On Wednesday, a hearing is scheduled when the judge is expected to formally order the psychiatric exam.
Guillen’s mental state at the time of the incident would not be addressed in the evaluation; that issue could be raised at a later stage of the case.
Guillen is currently scheduled to enter a plea to the five charges on June 17.
The staff of the church filed a victim impact statement with the court this week and it does not address any specifics of the damage.
“We have met with Mackenzie’s family and leaned of the mental health challenges he faces. It is our desire that the disposition in this case focuses on addressing Mackenzie’s mental health needs, as opposed to just simply punishing him. We have forgiven Mackenzie, and we hope that he will be rehabilitated to become a productive member of society,” the letter reads, in part.
Prior to being arrested, Guillen also allegedly vandalized three homes the same night.
