SPOKANE, Wash – The man charged with starting multiple fires in Spokane including the Old Trails Fire that burned hundreds of homes is competent to participate in his legal defense.
The forensic evaluation of Aaron Farinacci was added to his court file Monday.
The analysis says Farinacci suffers from major depressive disorder with anxious distress but he “possesses the capacity to understand the nature of the proceedings against him and assist in his defense.”
A judge ordered the competency evaluation at Farinacci’s arraignment earlier this month.
According to court documents, Farinacci admitted starting the Old Trails Fire August 1st, along with 25 fires in the same area over the last year.
He has a criminal history that includes serving prison time in Arizona for killing his father.
As part of the evaluation, Farinacci told the examiner about his relationship with his girlfriend the last four years and “spoke warmly about the birth of their son.”
He said his time in prison causes him to put up a wall and he said he frequently argues with his girlfriend. He told the examiner his girlfriend ended their relationship when he got arrested.
Fariacci disclosed OCD behavior, including frequent handwashing and having an aversion to touching items that have been on the floor.
He also described lingering medical effects from having shot himself after he shot his father. He said he suffered from suicidal ideation earlier this year.
Farinacci also described his mental state since being arrested, saying “I’ve been in a mental and emotional anguish, like my mind is shattering.”
He says that while he’s been taking medication while in jail, his distress has manifested into punching and hitting himself.
“Mr. Farinacci nevertheless continued to report homicidal ideation that he associated with frustration, anger, helplessness and his perception of the gravity of the present circumstances,” the examiner wrote.
The report details Farinacci’s mental health since 2022, saying that his mental status examinations were “within normal limits.” He completed court ordered domestic violence and anger management classes in 2023.
In 2025, his records show he had a behavioral health crisis contact when his mother reported an argument between the two, saying he had “made statements involving ‘suicide by cop’ and killing her.”
He acknowledged that he had a fight with his mom, but denied wanting to kill her and denied wanting to die by suicide.
In early 2026, he went through another mental health crisis, describing thoughts of suicide.
The report says Farinacci met with his therapist on July 30, 2026 along with his girlfriend.
At that appointment, he reported having an intrusive “temptation to burn stuff.”
The therapist questioned him more about it, but then said “I’m not going to burn anything”, expressing concern about hurting people, property and animals.
“His therapist concluded that a duty to warn or further safety measures were not warranted because no significant imminent risk was identified,” the report says.
The analysis after Farinacci was arrested shows he has been depressed in jail, but managed to follow directions and participate in his evaluation.
He reported feeling “a steady state of anguish” and that his “soul is next in line for eternal damnation.”
As to his ability to stand trial, the evaluator says Farinacci understands the charges against him and the consequences he faces.
He acknowledges that he would likely have a better chance at a fair trial in another county, saying “Spokane has gotten in their heads that I am a monster because of the events. All the nation hates me.”
“Overall, Mr. Farinacci did not exhibit symptoms or cognitive deficits attributable to a mental disease or defect that would be expected to interfere with his competency-related capacities,” the report says. “Mr. Farinacci presently has the capacity to understand the nature of the proceedings against him and to assist in his defense with a reasonable degree of rational understanding.”
Farinacci is scheduled to be back in court September 4th.
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