The Montezuma County Court on Tuesday requested a mental health evaluation and approved the appointment of a liaison from The Bridge shelter for Michael Kim McLaws.
McLaws has numerous open court cases.
He met bond in one of his cases at a previous hearing, and Senior Judge Susanna Meissner-Cutler requested that he undergo a mental health evaluation. Defense attorney Annalise Hodges asked whether the court would approve McLaws being appointed a liaison from The Bridge to help with the evaluation, to which the court agreed.
Hodges shared that most of McLaws’ cases are petty offenses, but he also faces a felony charge. She asked for a global continuance. Meissner-Cutler said she was concerned to see that the majority of the incidents involving McLaws have taken place in the past 2½ months. Consequently, she expressed urgency that McLaws get assistance as soon as possible.
McLaws’ next hearing is Dec. 17 at 1:30 p.m.
“The sooner, the better,” McLaws said to Hodges and Meissner-Cutler.
McLaws was most recently arrested on warrant on Oct. 28 near America’s Auto Care, 244 E. Main St. Officer Joseph Yen was riding on bike patrol when he came in contact with McLaws, who “was being loud and yelling.”
After officer Trevor Robertson arrived, they arrested McLaws on a warrant.
McLaws had been arrested in September for alleged arson and theft. He reportedly set two trash bins and two mattresses on fire near Hibbett Sports, and was suspected of shoplifting from Safeway the next day.
