Judge doubts probation best for arsonist who already served jail time for burning condos
New Jersey Online
By: Matt Gray
30 September 2017
WOODBURY -- A Superior Court judge questioned Friday if a sentence of
probation was appropriate for a woman convicted twice of setting her
Washington Township condominium building on fire.
Cheryl A. Satoris, 57, was found guilty in June of third-degree arson
in a 2011 blaze that damaged eight condo units but caused no injuries.
She was originally convicted on the same charge in a 2013 trial,
sentenced to five-years probation, ordered to pay $48,000 in
restitution and required to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
The probationary term was based on Satoris having already served 981 days in jail while awaiting her first trial.
The appellate division overturned that conviction and ordered a new
trial, saying her conviction was based on unreliable evidence and that
conditions set for the probationary term were illegal.
In the first trial, a neighbor testified that on the day prior to the
fire, Satoris asked him if he was part of the conspiracy among "the
Commissioner, Illuminati and other people to kill her." She also asked
him if he had renter's insurance and asked, "Do you know these units
are going to burn down?" the neighbor testified.
The state is seeking a period of probation conditioned on a mental
health evaluation and treatment, Assistant Prosecutor Dana Anton told
Judge Kevin T. Smith on Friday.
"I think that there would be no purpose served in additional prison
time," Anton said. "But I do think that a mental health evaluation is
necessary to ensure this doesn't happen again."
Smith expressed concerns that the proposed sentence of probation would not help Satoris.
Following her first sentence, Satoris refused to get treatment for
mental health issues and denied she had a problem, Smith said,
referring to documents from medical professional who reviewed her case.
He questioned whether she would cooperate with efforts at treatment this time is she was granted parole.
"I have little faith that probation will be beneficial now and I'm
concerned about that," he said. "Based upon this history and what is
demonstrated before me, placing Ms. Satoris on probation is setting her
up to fail."
Satoris repeatedly interrupted Smith during Friday's proceedings,
arguing about the appellate ruling, the amount of jail time she has
already served in the case and disputing that she has mental health
issues.
Satoris claimed that what doctors described as mental health disorders
were actually temporary conditions caused by carbon monoxide poisoning
from people pumping gases into her condo unit prior to the 2011 fire.
Smith countered with a 2014 report from a doctor who indicated she
suffered from a delusional state and expressed concern that she may act
out on those delusions.
She also disputed claims that she didn't cooperate with the mental
health portion of her original probation and claimed to have proof to
support her case.
"It's been represented to me that there's documentation out there that I should take a look at," Smith said.
The judge expressed concern that if he proceeded with sentencing
Friday, the appellate court could later rule that he should have
considered Satoris' additional evidence.
He agreed to postpone sentencing until Dec. 8 to allow Satoris to present her information.
She remains free pending sentencing.
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