Man charged in arson death of stepfather ruled competent for Miami County trial

He is charged in a Feb. 12 explosion and fire in Laura in which Jack Noble, 58, was critically injured. Noble died later in the month.

Johnson has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and is being held on bail of $1 million cash or surety.

Pratt said the evaluations showed Johnson is a mentally ill person but it is not sufficient to inhibit his ability to stand trial. They also showed he does not have a severe mental defect nor suffer from a serious mental health condition.

“The defendant knew the wrongfulness of his alleged offenses charged ... and is not insane,” Pratt said.

A trial date will be set following an attorney’s conference scheduled for May 4.