Court says Williams is incompetent to stand trial

Nevada woman charged with arson after being suspected of starting fire along Highway 29 in October

LAKEPORT >> Nickelina Rose Williams. 39, of Fallon, Nevada, was arrested by California Highway Patrol (CHP) in October after being suspected of starting a fire along Highway 29 in Lake County.

A wildfire was reported along Highway Oct. 13, 2021 and CHP responded to the scene, where a group of motorists were attempting to put out the fire.

An officer at the scene noticed Williams walking southbound on Highway 29, away from the fire’s initial ignition. She denied knowing about the fire, yet an officer located a lighter and ignition material matching evidence that was located at the fire.

During the recent doctors’ report hearing, the doctors’ reports were submitted and the Court found Williams is incompetent to stand trial. The doctors’ reports were submitted into evidence and the matter was referred to the Community Program Director for a placement recommendation.

The matter has been set for a placement hearing with reports from CONREP on Dec. 28, 2021 at 9 a.m. in Department 2.

CONREP is a Conditional Release Program governed by the California Department of State Hospitals. It is a statewide system of communitybased services which treats patients with various commitment types — Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, Incompetent to Stand Trial, Mentally Disordered Offenders and some parolees who have been released to outpatient status.

CONREP was mandated as a California State responsibility in 1984, and began operating in 1986. Patients have typically experienced lengthy hospital stays and in some cases served full prison sentences.

CONREP’s goal is to ensure public protection in California communities while providing an effective and standardized outpatient treatment system.

Last month the defendant was present and in custody for a preliminary hearing.

Court appointed Attorney Sterling Thayer, Jr.in October as counsel for the defendant, who declared a doubt as to the defendant’s ability to stand trial pursuant to PC1368. The court ordered the proceedings suspended and ordered Dr. Taylor Fithian and Dr.Luigi Piciucco appointed to evaluate the defendant and prepare a report regarding the defendant’s mental competency to stand trial.

Penal Code 1368PC is the California statute that sets forth the state’s laws on a defendant’s mental competency to stand trial. If a judge or counsel believes a defendant is not mentally competent, then he/she must state that belief on the record and may order a hearing to determine if the defendant is, in fact, incompetent.

The defendant has been charged with felony arson of forest land, felony arson during a state of emergency and possessing material/device for arson.

During a hearing in October, Williams advised the Court that her true and correct name is Nickelina Rosa Sillifant. The charging document was amended on its face to reflect an AKA of Nickelina Rosa Sillifant.

Williams remains in custody at the Lake County jail with bail set at $35,000.

The defendant also has separate charges of vehicle theft and buying/selling/ receiving stolen property in a separate Lake County matter.