CAVALIER - A farmer was brought to the courthouse here to face charges of attempted murder and arson, a little more than two months after he was accused of setting the building on fire and wounding the police chief.

James Thorlakson, 54, of Hensel, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday at the Pembina County Courthouse. He pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder, arson and endangerment by fire or explosion in the August incident.

The smell of smoke lingered Tuesday in the atrium of the historic building, along with fresh paint and wood cleaner.

"They did a good job of getting the building ready," said Stewart Askew, the Pembina County state's attorney. "It's not too bad in here if you leave the windows open."

Thorlakson's attorney, Bruce Quick, of Fargo, met with the defendant's family after the hearing.

"They are supportive and very concerned about their brother," Quick said. "It's a very tragic situation for all concerned."

Quick said a possible mental evaluation and change of venue are issues "to be determined in the future." He said Thorlakson has no previous criminal record and called the charges "a real aberration."

Quick and Askew declined to discuss details of the case. Judge Laurie Fontaine set Thorlakson's trial for June 26.

Thorlakson is charged as a dangerous special offender, meaning he could get life in prison if convicted of attempted murder.

He is accused of setting the Pembina County Courthouse and law enforcement center on fire Aug. 19, after shooting at sheriff's deputies who had tried to serve him with a domestic violence protection order. Cavalier Police Chief Ken Wolf was wounded during the standoff, which lasted more than eight hours.

Wolf, who was shot three times, is doing as well as can be expected, Askew said.

Authorities said Thorlakson also shot at Pembina County Chief Deputy Brian Erovick while he drove away in his squad car, and endangered the lives of two dispatchers and two officers when he set fire to the law enforcement center. A bullet grazed Erovick's shirt, but he was not hurt.

Thorlakson showed marked improvement from his first court appearance, when his hand was bandaged and a wound was visible in his neck.

His bail has been set at $1 million cash. He is being held at the Walsh County Jail in Grafton.

Tuesday's hearing was held on the third floor of the courthouse. The entrances to the basement area, heavily damaged from the fire, were covered with a plastic barrier.

Officials have estimated damage to the courthouse and nearby law enforcement center at about $800,000.