HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — A Huntsville man charged with making threats against a Huntsville Fire Department station has been committed to the Alabama Department of Mental Health after a judge found his mental illness makes him a threat to himself or others.
Madison County Circuit Judge Chris Comer said Friday that, based on two mental health evaluations of Craig Emerson and a subsequent hearing, Emerson is mentally ill and should remain in ADMH custody for treatment and therapy.
Emerson, 58, entered a plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to a charge of making terroristic threats.
According to court documents, in 2021, Emerson threatened to blow up Huntsville Fire Station #5, prompting an investigation by local authorities. Due to concerns about his mental health, he was evaluated and subsequently committed to a state mental health facility for treatment in 2023. Records show he had mental health evaluations in February 2023 and November 2024.
The court ordered that Emerson remain in the custody of the ADMH without being released unless authorized by the court.
State court records show Emerson was previously arrested on multiple arson charges. In February 2013, he was charged with two counts of first-degree arson and one count of attempted arson after reportedly throwing Molotov cocktails into occupied homes in Huntsville.
He pleaded guilty in 2015 to a count of first-degree attempted arson. Records show he was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but that sentence was suspended to time served and five years probation.
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