KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) - The man accused of burning down a Nebraska church was not responsible by reason of insanity, a judge ruled Thursday.
Mathew Poehler, 40, of Shelton, was charged with second-degree arson after the Zion Lutheran Church in rural Buffalo County was destroyed by fire on Dec. 11, 2019.
Investigators said the fire started when Poehler poured diesel fuel in a bucket of flowers and set it on fire, KNOP-TV reported.
Poehler's attorney filed a plea of not responsible by reason of insanity.
During a trial in February, Poehler's attorney presented a psychiatric report that said Poehler had bipolar schizoaffective disorder and at the time of the fire "he did not know or understand the nature and consequences of his actions in burning the church and did not know the difference between right and wrong."
On Thursday, Buffalo County District Judge John Marsh ruled in favor of the insanity plea. He ordered a future court hearing to determine whether Poehler was a danger to himself or others and whether he would be dangerous in the future.
Pending that hearing, Poehler is free on bond.