By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
An incompetency appeal in a Barren County arson case has been filed by the commonwealth’s attorney.
On Dec. 12, 2025, Barren County Circuit Judge John Alexander ruled that Thomas Wayne Houchens was incompetent and therefore could not stand trial. Houchens was indicted on second-degree arson, first-degree criminal mischief and first-degree persistent felony offender charges. He was arrested in November 2024 by Barren County Sheriff’s deputies for setting fire to a residential garage on Lyon School Road.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Resa Gardner filed an appeal with the Kentucky Court of Appeals asking it to overturn the incompetency ruling, according to Houchens’ court records.
Gardner previously told Glasgow News 1 that the ruling might take a couple of months, and the case was in a “holding pattern” until the appeal ruling.
Houchens’ next court appearance is scheduled for March 30 at 1 p.m. He has a $20,000 cash bond, according to court records.
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