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Two local cases are making their way through the courts, both involving loss of life and alleged perpetrators who are in various states of mental disorder.  The criminal proceedings are set aside while the civil system clarifies the best way to proceed.

In October 2023 the Chisago County Attorney’s Office announced an indictment by a grand jury for first degree murder, against a then 34-year-old suspect alleged to have set a man on fire as he slept in a rural Fish Lake Township home. The victim died of major burns and soot in his airway, according to the medical examiner.  The incident also seriously injured a second person in the home.  

This defendant, Dallas Evenstad,  was taken into custody almost immediately due to being identified by the injured victim. 

He has been held in lieu of $2 million bail. Recently he was moved to St Peter Regional Treatment Center, from the Chisago County Jail.  

Last week the case was extended yet again, as his public defender exercised Evenstad’s right to request one additional psychological evaluation. Judge Dowdal granted Evenstad 30 more days to achieve the assessment and a review hearing was tentatively set for June 10.

The issue is if Evenstad is competent to participate in a trial and be held responsible for his alleged actions. An early finding after an assessment in 2025 was that Evenstad lacks insight and is delusional.  The attorney for the prosecution stated in court documents that psychological evaluations have left open the possibility Evenstad can be treated and there is a likelihood the defendant will attain competency in the near future. 

The public defender entered the request for the second 20-01 evaluation last week so  Evenstad remains held in St. Peter until the follow-up assessment report is done.

In a second significant local case involving competency to stand trial— Jonathan Chet Winch was in court for a civil hearing Monday, May 11.  

Winch was arrested and charged in the assault death of a Fairview security staff member in 2025 at Christmas time.

Judge Seabrooks III ordered Winch be committed on Monday this week for a six month minimum.

Winch is unable at this time to cooperate or collaborate in treatment. This was a finding in an evaluation by Dr. Gulrajani.  Winch did not contest the commitment.

County Attorney Janet Reiter said there will be periodic review hearings for Winch to determine if he is able to attain competency. If  restored to a level of understanding of his situation there could be a plea entered or trial at a later date. If not ruled to be competent Winch  would be subject to a commitment and the victim’s family could speak to the court at that time.

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