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ENLARGE
Fred Engel, 25, who is accused of attacking a Nevada City woman and then setting her house ablaze, enters the courtroom Monday afternoon.
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ENLARGE
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Susan C. Wallace's once-picturesque Nevada City house stood in shatters Monday afternoon after it burned early Saturday.
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Fred Engel, the Grass Valley man suspected of attacking Susan Wallace and then torching her Nevada City house early Saturday, pleaded innocent Monday to the charges of attempted murder and arson.
Wallace remained hospitalized in critical condition Monday evening.
Around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, the 62-year-old woman confronted an intruder carrying a can of gasoline in her Nevada Street house, neighbors report.
The intruder then slashed her throat and stabbed her several times, police say. Wallace was able to flee to her next-door neighbors' house, where neighbors tried to stop the bleeding.
When authorities arrived minutes later, Wallace's house was ablaze. Before long, the second floor of the once-picturesque structure was consumed in flames.
Wallace - who is described as a devoted animal lover and a bright attorney - was flown to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, where she remained in critical condition with a hopeful prognosis late Monday, her son Zak Wallace said.
When Wallace fled to her neighbors' house, she was able to describe her alleged attacker, a man who had cleaned her carpets the week before, said Nevada City Police Sgt. Lorin Gage.
Authorities identified Engel, the suspected intruder, as a man who had cleaned Wallace's carpets twice recently.
After a manhunt of several hours, Engel turned himself in at a Beale Air Force Base gate before 10 a.m. Saturday. Engel was not affiliated with the U.S. Air Force, Gage said.
Engel, a slender 25-year-old with glasses, held back tears as he was ushered into the courtroom for his arraignment Monday afternoon.
Wallace remained hospitalized in critical condition Monday evening.
Around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, the 62-year-old woman confronted an intruder carrying a can of gasoline in her Nevada Street house, neighbors report.
The intruder then slashed her throat and stabbed her several times, police say. Wallace was able to flee to her next-door neighbors' house, where neighbors tried to stop the bleeding.
When authorities arrived minutes later, Wallace's house was ablaze. Before long, the second floor of the once-picturesque structure was consumed in flames.
Wallace - who is described as a devoted animal lover and a bright attorney - was flown to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, where she remained in critical condition with a hopeful prognosis late Monday, her son Zak Wallace said.
When Wallace fled to her neighbors' house, she was able to describe her alleged attacker, a man who had cleaned her carpets the week before, said Nevada City Police Sgt. Lorin Gage.
Authorities identified Engel, the suspected intruder, as a man who had cleaned Wallace's carpets twice recently.
After a manhunt of several hours, Engel turned himself in at a Beale Air Force Base gate before 10 a.m. Saturday. Engel was not affiliated with the U.S. Air Force, Gage said.
Engel, a slender 25-year-old with glasses, held back tears as he was ushered into the courtroom for his arraignment Monday afternoon.
Minutes before, his attorney Stephen Munkelt had asked Judge Robert Tamietti to bar cameras from the courtroom.
"My basic concern is for the defendant's ultimate right to get a fair trial in our small community," Munkelt said.
Tamietti decided to permit shots of Engel while seated. Engel appeared dazed during the quarter-hour arraignment and told the judge he did not understand his rights.
"He's in shock," said his mother, Lois Engel, who chairs the Ophir Hill Fire District.
Her son, Fred, would never commit such a ghastly crime and has no criminal history, Lois Engel said.
"I can't imagine him ever hurting anyone," his mother said. "I know in my heart that Fred didn't do it."
Authorities were unable to say Monday whether Engel had a criminal record.
Although Fred was a "pussycat" who enjoyed growing roses and riding his horse Misty, he had been having problems recently, Lois Engel said.
"He got into a real dark, funky mood," Lois Engel said. "He's got a demon that's chasing him, it's very apparent."
Engel's father had been a paranoid-schizophrenic and Lois Engel feared the same symptoms were appearing in her son, who thought someone in Nevada County was trying to kill him. His fear spurred him to flee to Yuba County, Lois Engel said.
Lois Engel had talked with her son about getting help but he had not admitted he had a problem, she said.
"My basic concern is for the defendant's ultimate right to get a fair trial in our small community," Munkelt said.
Tamietti decided to permit shots of Engel while seated. Engel appeared dazed during the quarter-hour arraignment and told the judge he did not understand his rights.
"He's in shock," said his mother, Lois Engel, who chairs the Ophir Hill Fire District.
Her son, Fred, would never commit such a ghastly crime and has no criminal history, Lois Engel said.
"I can't imagine him ever hurting anyone," his mother said. "I know in my heart that Fred didn't do it."
Authorities were unable to say Monday whether Engel had a criminal record.
Although Fred was a "pussycat" who enjoyed growing roses and riding his horse Misty, he had been having problems recently, Lois Engel said.
"He got into a real dark, funky mood," Lois Engel said. "He's got a demon that's chasing him, it's very apparent."
Engel's father had been a paranoid-schizophrenic and Lois Engel feared the same symptoms were appearing in her son, who thought someone in Nevada County was trying to kill him. His fear spurred him to flee to Yuba County, Lois Engel said.
Lois Engel had talked with her son about getting help but he had not admitted he had a problem, she said.
Gage said police have "no indication that (Engel) has any mental health problems."
Engel grew up in Nevada County as one of five boys, was homeschooled, and had worked as a landscaper, a firefighter, and until last week as a carpet cleaner, Lois Engel said.
"He's got a lot of community support," his mother said.
Early Sunday, Engel called home and wished his mother a happy Mother's Day.
"He said, 'I wish I could be there for Mother's Day. I don't know why I was arrested,'" Lois Engel said, breaking into tears. "He's not the ogre everybody's trying to paint."
Engel and Wallace crossed paths April 29, when Engel came to clean Wallace's carpets, said Harold Bjork, Wallace's housemate.
A Sierra College student, Bjork was away for the weekend and not involved in the incident, Gage said.
Wallace - whom U. Utah Phillips describes as a "soul of hospitality" - formerly led and then served on the state's Youth Authority Board, a seven-member board that decides the fate of California's youthful offenders.
"She's a real bright gal with a (southern) twang ... and a heart as big as the outdoors," said her former supervisor John Monday. "She always saw the deep good in people."
Wallace retired last June but remained involved in the community she has called home since 1995.
Engel grew up in Nevada County as one of five boys, was homeschooled, and had worked as a landscaper, a firefighter, and until last week as a carpet cleaner, Lois Engel said.
"He's got a lot of community support," his mother said.
Early Sunday, Engel called home and wished his mother a happy Mother's Day.
"He said, 'I wish I could be there for Mother's Day. I don't know why I was arrested,'" Lois Engel said, breaking into tears. "He's not the ogre everybody's trying to paint."
Engel and Wallace crossed paths April 29, when Engel came to clean Wallace's carpets, said Harold Bjork, Wallace's housemate.
A Sierra College student, Bjork was away for the weekend and not involved in the incident, Gage said.
Wallace - whom U. Utah Phillips describes as a "soul of hospitality" - formerly led and then served on the state's Youth Authority Board, a seven-member board that decides the fate of California's youthful offenders.
"She's a real bright gal with a (southern) twang ... and a heart as big as the outdoors," said her former supervisor John Monday. "She always saw the deep good in people."
Wallace retired last June but remained involved in the community she has called home since 1995.
She served as a mentor for disadvantaged adolescent girls with the Friendship Club and even took the girls along to volunteer at the animal shelter, said executive director Jennifer Litton Singer.
"She's a very warm, loving person," Singer said.
Stuart Cohen, Utah Phillips' brother, was one of Wallace's close friends.
"I took an immediate liking to her," Cohen said. "She's very strong-willed, sharp and funny."
Animals are by far her greatest love, friends say.
Wallace doted on her four dogs and ever cooked special food for Molly, a small, older dog who had been having health problems, said animal activist Cheryl Wicks.
"She was legendary with her care and concern for animals," Monday said.
Two of Wallace's four dogs, Hercules and Popeye, escaped the blaze and are safe, Wicks said.
Unfortunately, the two small dogs that she was particularly close with - Molly and Scooter - died and were found under the bed, authorities say.
The whereabouts of a black cat, Tiger, is not currently known, friends say.
Authorities have not elaborated on the suspected link between Engel and Wallace, only saying that Engel had cleaned in Wallace's house recently.
"She's a very warm, loving person," Singer said.
Stuart Cohen, Utah Phillips' brother, was one of Wallace's close friends.
"I took an immediate liking to her," Cohen said. "She's very strong-willed, sharp and funny."
Animals are by far her greatest love, friends say.
Wallace doted on her four dogs and ever cooked special food for Molly, a small, older dog who had been having health problems, said animal activist Cheryl Wicks.
"She was legendary with her care and concern for animals," Monday said.
Two of Wallace's four dogs, Hercules and Popeye, escaped the blaze and are safe, Wicks said.
Unfortunately, the two small dogs that she was particularly close with - Molly and Scooter - died and were found under the bed, authorities say.
The whereabouts of a black cat, Tiger, is not currently known, friends say.
Authorities have not elaborated on the suspected link between Engel and Wallace, only saying that Engel had cleaned in Wallace's house recently.
In fact, roommate Bjork said, Engel did a "great job" of cleaning the upstairs carpets Friday, April 29, but missed some throw rugs downstairs.
He returned last week to finish up, Bjork said.
Returning to a house already cleaned was not a big deal, said Lois Engel.
Engel voluntarily quit his carpet cleaning job last week because the hours were too long, she said.
The owner of the company that employed Engel did not return numerous calls Monday.
The timing of Engel's mental problems and the attack on Wallace are coincidental, Lois Engel said. "He's a pretty normal guy except something got funky in his brain."
"I'm sorry the animals died. I just hope (Wallace) has a full recovery," Engel said.
Gage said he does not know how the intruder entered Wallace's home or how the fire started.
Engel's next court appearance is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday.
<I>To contact staff writer Becky Trout, e-mail beckyt@theunion.com or call 477-4234.</I>
He returned last week to finish up, Bjork said.
Returning to a house already cleaned was not a big deal, said Lois Engel.
Engel voluntarily quit his carpet cleaning job last week because the hours were too long, she said.
The owner of the company that employed Engel did not return numerous calls Monday.
The timing of Engel's mental problems and the attack on Wallace are coincidental, Lois Engel said. "He's a pretty normal guy except something got funky in his brain."
"I'm sorry the animals died. I just hope (Wallace) has a full recovery," Engel said.
Gage said he does not know how the intruder entered Wallace's home or how the fire started.
Engel's next court appearance is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday.
<I>To contact staff writer Becky Trout, e-mail beckyt@theunion.com or call 477-4234.</I>
