Steven Prestridge, accused in the Sept. 1 fire at Rapid River Pub, listens Thursday as his attorney, Dana Harper, also shown, is granted her motion for a competency exam by Judge Steve Parks in 94th District Court. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)

ESCANABA – A competency exam will be done on a Rapid River man charged with arson in connection with the Rapid River Pub fire Sept. 1.

Steven Prestridge, 33, appeared remotely in the 94th District Court on Thursday from the Delta County Jail, with his attorney, Dana Harper, and Delta County Prosecutor Lauren Wickman both present in the courtroom.

Harper motioned for the competency exam after meeting with Prestridge last week before his upcoming preliminary exam.

“I had difficulty discussing the charges and penalties that he could be facing with these charges. He just could not have a straight conversation. At times, Mr. Prestridge seemed incoherent. He would go off on a tangent that was unrelated,” Harper said. “He made some nonsensical statements.”

Harper added, “I decided at the end there that I had some strong concerns about him being able to understand the charges that were against him, the penalties, as well as the upcoming prelim. I have the belief that he might not be able to aid in his defense or even have a discussion about it at this point.”

Wickman said that because Harper had the ability to speak with the defendant, whereas she does not, she believes Harper can better gauge Prestridge’s competency.

Judge Steve Parks agreed. “Ms. Harper is probably the best person to make that early assessment,” Parks said. “It’s vital in our system of justice that a person can understand the proceedings and contribute to his or her defense.”

Prestridge will now meet with a certified or licensed forensic examiner of the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Saline, Michigan. This will determine if he is mentally competent to stand trial.

Prestridge is accused of setting fire to the back of the Rapid River Pub while patrons and staff were still inside about 12:30 a.m. on Labor Day. All were safely evacuated from the business.

The owner, Tom Szocinski, later said when the bartender declined to serve a man who had previously been banned from the pub, he replied, “Then I’ll take this place down.” Roughly 15 minutes later, employees and customers heard a loud boom and discovered the blaze in back.

Prestridge was arrested later that day. He was arraigned Sept. 2 on charges of second-degree arson and arson-preparation to burn real property. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and/or $20,000 or three times the value of the property damaged, whichever is greater, for second-degree arson; and up to five years and/or $10,000 or three times the value of the property damaged, whichever is greater, for arson-preparation to burn real property, according to the criminal complaint.

He is in the Delta County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.