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The man accused of attempted arson at St. Patrick’s Cathedral after carrying gasoline, lighter fluid and lighters inside in April is being sent to a mental health facility for treatment.
A Manhattan Supreme Court judge ruled July 11 that charges against Marc Lamparello, 37, would be put on hold indefinitely while he receives treatment, according to news reports. Prosecutors, who had previously disagreed he was unfit for trial, this time did not contest the finding.
Lamparello had recently pleaded not guilty to attempted arson and reckless endangerment. His attorney had argued he suffered from mental illness.
After being stopped by cathedral security staff in the April 17 incident, Lamparello, of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., claimed his vehicle had run out of gas and that he had taken a shortcut through the cathedral to return to it.
