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Brewster Church Arson Suspect To Undergo Mental Evaluation

BREWSTER (CBS) – Adam Finnegan hid behind his attorney in court Monday, but he could not hide from the charges: arson.

Police say it was early Friday morning, when the 29-year-old poured gasoline in the Cape Cod Bible Alliance church, and lit a match. Within an hour, the church was burned to the ground.

Court documents reveal that Finnegan has a history of mental illness, and lighting fires according to his parents.

Just moments after the fire, police say Finnegan showed up at his parents' Brewster home, in a very agitated state. They called police, and when the officers arrived, Finnegan's parents told the police they were in fear of their son and that he had a history of lighting fires.

In court, the judge ordered that Adam Finnegan be sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for 20 days to be evaluated for his mental competency.

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