Fan Accused in Threats to Carson Hospitalized

An allegedly obsessed fan charged with threatening to kill “Tonight Show” host Johnny Carson was ordered committed to a state mental hospital until he regains his competency to stand trial.

During a court hearing in Pasadena Friday, Ken Gause, 36, of Milwaukee, was ordered held at Patton State Hospital. Gause was declared mentally incompetent last month by Superior Court Judge Charles C. Lee.

Gause was arrested Dec. 7 at NBC’s Burbank studios after walking into the main lobby and demanding to speak to Carson. When arrested, Gause had a makeshift weapon in his possession, a sock filled with gravel.