---

A district court judge is considering how to proceed in the murder and first degree assault charges against Dallas Evenstad.  The 37 year old, a resident of Wright County, has been held by Chisago County since he was charged in mid-2023 in connection with an incident in Fish Lake Township that left two people with serious burn injuries,  one of these victims succumbing hours after he was attacked.  

Evenstad was identified by the victims. According to early information he intentionally set a fire inside a home in the 400 block of Cambridge Drive at approximately 3:30 a.m. June 4, 2023.  And before the male died June 4 about 2:30. p.m., he’d reportedly told deputies gas was thrown on him as he lay in bed and it was Evenstad who set him on fire.

The female burn victim had managed to get to a neighboring home and call 9-1-1.  She suffered burns to her legs, hands and feet, according to the county attorney’s press release.

Evenstad has been evaluated for competency to participate in his own defense.  Twice the court has heard he does not meet any standard for exhibiting ability to consult with attorneys. 

He is not improving being confined in jail, the assessment doctors have advised the judge.

The prosecution questions the competency conclusions  as presented. 

The state asked for a doctor performing the evaluation(s) to be called in to testify in a 20.01 hearing. 

Defense attorneys responded there won’t be anything found out in a hearing that could alter the defendant’s lacking competency.  They also question the potential that there is any evidence the state can offer that will demonstrate Evenstad is competent.

District Court Judge Judge Dowdal as of July 28 has taken the request for the 20.01 hearing under advisement.

---