HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The man accused of setting a massive fire at Gallery Furniture will have his day in court. Eyewitness News has learned the suspect is now considered competent to stand trial.
"That was a devastating moment, we didn't know if we were going to go on or not," said Jim Mcingvale. "It had to be probably the darkest moment."
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Robert Gillham has spent the last four years in a state mental hospital. Investigators say in 2009, the disgruntled former employee set fire to the store on the North Freeway and Parker, causing more than $20 million in damages. We're told he will return to Harris County in the coming weeks and a trial date will be set.
"I understand that mental illness is a cruel disease. We have had a lot of it in my family, so I've had a lot of empathy for him," said Mcingvale.
Mattress Mack issued a statement Wednesday night to Eyewitness News saying, "We look forward to going to trial, putting this behind us and moving on. Mental illness is a cruel disease and I don't wish it on anybody."
"At this point, I feel a lot of mercy for him because, you know, he's been through a lot. We have been through a lot. Justice can be served and we can all move on."