Coleman competent
Judge denies prosecutor's request for evaluation

Arson suspect Steve Coleman is escorted by corrections officers into the booking room at the McKinley County Adult Detention Center on Friday morning after Coleman's arraignment. [Photo by Matt Hinshaw/Independent]

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

Liz Coleman, wife of arson suspect Steve Coleman, enters The McKinley County Courthouse Friday morning. [Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent]

GALLUP — District Judge Robert Aragon ruled on Friday morning that accused arsonist Steve Coleman will not have to undergo an evaluation to determine whether he is competent to stand trial.

Aragon cited the prosecution's lack of "persuasive evidence" as a reason for his ruling.

Coleman, of the 1700 Block of Red Rock Drive, was arraigned in district court on felony charges of negligent arson, dangerous use of an explosive and breaking and entering for allegedly igniting the blaze that burned portions of the lower level of Peregrine Corrections on South Second Street.

Coleman, who remained calm and alert throughout the hearing, appeared to have a black eye that he allegedly sustained during a fall from a jail transport vehicle last week.

Deputy District Attorney Alfred Walker asked Aragon to order Coleman to undergo an evaluation in response to reports from McKinley County Adult Detention Center employees who said Coleman had been hallucinating and appeared disoriented as to time and place at one point during his stay at the facility.

The notice came a day after Coleman was treated at a local hospital for dehydration and kidney-related issues on July 12.

Jail warden Donna Goodrich testified Coleman was not acting like himself prior to the hospital stay and appeared disheveled. Reports also surfaced that Coleman was hallucinating and uncertain as to how he became incarcerated.

Elizabeth Coleman, Steve Coleman's wife, also allegedly voiced concerns to jail officials about her husband's behavior and his dosage of medication for treatment of depression and bi-polar disorder.

However, defense attorney Eric Hannum said he met with Coleman for more than an hour prior to Friday's hearing and that his client is competent.

"He is mentally capable of the kind of awareness required of a defendant for a criminal case," Hannum told Aragon.

But Walker said Coleman should be evaluated by a professional to determine whether his behavior at the jail was a one-time incident or if could be ongoing.

Walker also said he was concerned Coleman could not properly contribute to his defense due to the hallucinations. Hannum said Coleman's attorneys will not raise his competency as a defense during trial. Aragon denied Walker's motion and also said Coleman's behavior could be attributed to the stress a defendant may experience from being charged with multiple felonies.

During Friday's hearing, Walker said the state plans to take the arson case to a grand jury for a possible indictment in the near future.

City councilman Pat Butler and his brother Barry Butler posted Coleman's $10,000 cash-only bond in connection with the arson case. However, Coleman remains jailed on no bond in connection with charges that he fired shots into a McKinley County sheriff's deputy's residence late last year. Coleman's family members, who were present at the hearing, declined requests for comment.