A burglary suspect who told a tale of co-owning a Holmes Beach home with singer-songwriter Mariah Carey was declared incompetent to proceed in court.
Jason Lowell James, 36, of Bradenton, was declared incompetent Jan. 14 by 12th Circuit Judge Deno Economou, according to Assistant State Attorney Matthew Davenport.
Davenport said he agreed with the written opinion of Dr. Eddy Regnier of Sarasota, who found James incompetent.
Economou ordered James to attend Centerstone Hospital and Addiction Center of Bradenton, cooperate with staff to re-establish his competency and continue to live with his parents.
The Holmes Beach Police Department encountered James in response to a neighbor’s report of a burglary March 15, 2015.
HBPD Sgt. Mike Pilato reported finding James watching television and drinking beer at a home in the 100 block of White Avenue. According to police reports, James scratched floors, shattered a front window and, while making entry, damaged a door and storm shutters.
The owner of the home, ATEM Partnership’s Wesley Beck of Lakeland, said his group had no relationship with James.
The pop star tweeted a sad face emoticon and “Lol…wtf” after learning James broke into the residence and told police he’d owned the property with her for 17 years.
James was formally charged by the state in July 2015 on felony burglary and criminal mischief charges.
According to court records, James’ supervised release officer reported in November that James could not be located and had violated his probation by not reporting weekly. A warrant for his arrest was issued, assigning a $30,000 bond.
James was arrested Jan. 14 and released the next day on his own recognizance, according to Manatee County Sheriff’s records.
James has a prior record in Manatee County, including a cocaine conviction in 2010 and probation violations.
According to Davenport, an April trial date on the Holmes Beach burglary has been canceled.
The assistant state attorney expects the court to review James’ competency in about six months.
— Kathy Prucnell