In a recent hearing at the Racine County Circuit Court, Robert Staton, the owner of the recently-destroyed historic Meinhardt Mansion in Burlington, has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the mansion's fire, as per court records sourced from News-Shield. Staton, who acquired the property in July, faces one misdemeanor count of negligent handling of burning materials and two counts of felony bail jumping.
The charges result from an incident on November 22, when a fire consumed the treasured Meinhardt mansion, built in 1883. Staton's plea comes amidst the ongoing investigation into the cause of the fire. In a statement obtained by WTMJ, it was reported that Staton posted a $15,000 bail. He is scheduled to return to court in February for a competency hearing, requested by his attorney due to difficulties in communication which have raised concerns about his capacity to engage in his defense.
Patrick Cafferty, Staton's defense attorney, explained the motion for the evaluation, "I have reasons to doubt his ability to assist me in the defense based on my conversations with him," according to an interview with CBS 58. Cafferty noted that relatives also shared these concerns, suggesting there were underlying issues needing attention.
Despite initially facing restrictions due to a separate domestic violence charge from September, the judge has permitted Staton, now homeless due to the fire to relocate out of state without an alcohol monitoring "SCRAM" unit. "His sister who lives in Corning, New York is willing to let him stay with her there's also a VA facility nearby where he would be receiving services," Cafferty told CBS 58. Prosecutors previously reported that Staton had been advised by a home inspector not to use at least two of the house's fireplaces, a caution allegedly disregarded by Staton.
