Just like her previous court appearance, Dorothee Burkhart interrupted a judge in order to defend her son, who is suspected of starting dozens of fires in LA over New Year’s Weekend.
Dorothee Burkhart, the 53-year-old mother of a man suspected of setting dozens of fires across Los Angeles, was in court Tuesday for an extradition hearing.
The international fugitive -- who has made a habit of courtroom outbursts -- was more subdued than usual, although she did repeatedly interrupt the magistrate.
She was ordered detained and a status hearing was set for Jan. 25. She also accepted a court appointed attorney.
Burkhart -- who's been charged with 19 counts of fraud in Frankfurt, Germany -- allegedly failed to pay for breast augmentation, and refused to return security deposits to renters, according to a criminal complaint (PDF).
Her court appearances have been accented with outbursts and claims of being in danger. She's also alleged jail staff beat her.
During one outburst, the fugitive told the courtroom that, "The Nazis have found us. ... We are victims of Nazi persecution."
Her son, 24-year-old Harry Burkhart, was located thanks to his own courtroom outbursts, according to authorities.
During the ongoing arson investigation, surveillance video was released to the public featuring an unidentified man suspected of starting the fires. Federal agents recognized the man in the video as the same man who went on an anti-U.S. rant during one of Dorothee Burkhart's fraud hearings.
The serial arson suspect was identified as her son, Harry Burkhart, who was later arrested during a traffic stop.
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Harry Burkhart was charged with 37 counts of arson and held on $2.85 million bail.
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