Bernie Sanders office arson suspect ruled incompetent by judge

The man accused of setting Bernie Sanders’ Vermont office on fire has been ruled incompetent by a federal judge .

Shant Soghomonian, 36, cannot aid in his own defense , and therefore a trial cannot be scheduled, Judge William K. Sessions III wrote in a ruling first reported Wednesday by local outlet VT Digger. The case will be reconsidered within the next four months.

Soghomonian’s defense attorneys had argued that he was capable of defending himself and standing trial. However, the judge agreed with prosecutors who questioned Soghomonian’s ability .

“He is too suspicious of the legal proceedings and his own defense counsel to assist properly in his own defense,” Sessions wrote.

The fire at Sanders’ office in Burlington erupted in the afternoon of April 5, 2024, inside an offi