SAN LUIS – The Spring Fire, allegedly started June 27, 2018, five miles east of Fort Garland by 53-year-old Jesper Joergensen, reportedly exceeded 107,000 acres and destroyed more than 141 homes.

In an online hearing Thursday to discuss Joergensen’s ability to stand trial, his defense suggested he be determined unfit to stand trial, drop the charges and ship him back to Denmark. His court-appointed attorney is Jane Fisher-Byrialsin.

Retired 6th Judicial District Judge Gregory G. Lyman of Durango was set to determine the nature of charges against Joergensen. Lyman is presiding since all of the 12th Judicial District judges recused themselves after it was learned that a fellow court employee lost a cabin in the fire.

While property owners wait, Joergensen, living in the United States on an expired visa from Denmark, has yet to stand trial. He has been in jail some 900 days and his condition is worsening because he refuses to take medication that might help with his delusional disorder. He has been treated by state experts, both in residential care, in the care of the Colorado Dept. of Health and Human Services and the Costilla County Jail, where he was booked in late June 2018.

He was bound over for trial after a lengthy preliminary hearing, facing 141 counts of first-degree arson. His alleged behavior then and during subsequent hearings led to a decision that he was incompetent to be tried without treatment. Joergensen is indigent and will never be able to pay for the damage caused by the fire. In addition, he has refused to be moved out of the jail to another location for treatment.

Lyman set another hearing Feb. 4 to allow prosecutors to consider their options.