ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, February 21, 1997              TAG: 9702210083
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-6  EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
DATELINE: ALEXANDRIA
SOURCE: Associated Press

CLINIC-FIRE SUSPECT HAS MENTAL ILLNESS, DAD SAYS

A man who admitted burning an abortion clinic has a history of mental problems and is a suicide risk, the man's father and federal prosecutors said Thursday.

James A. Mitchell could endanger society if he is released and is a danger to himself unless he is placed under a suicide watch, assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Kahoe said during a brief court hearing.

U.S. Magistrate Theresa Carroll Buchanan ordered Mitchell held without bond pending another hearing in his arson case today.

After the hearing, Kahoe would not comment on why she thinks Mitchell might flee, or why he may be dangerous to society.

Mitchell admitted breaking into the Commonwealth Women's Clinic in Falls Church and setting patient files on fire. The fire Tuesday night heavily damaged the clinic's first floor.

Mitchell's father, James Mitchell Sr., said his son has complicated mental problems and was treated last year at a Virginia state mental hospital.

In an off-camera interview with WTTG-TV in Washington, Mitchell said his son is unusual, but not dangerous.

The father has told reporters his son attended anti-abortion demonstrations years ago, but the family did not know Mitchell held such strong views.

Mitchell is under mental health care and takes the drug Prozac, Kahoe said. Mitchell's father told authorities his son needs the medication to prevent serious mood swings.

Federal authorities charged Mitchell, 38, with arson under a law that protects abortion clinics. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Mitchell told police who arrested him at the clinic Tuesday that he carefully planned the attack, according to court documents.

In an interview shortly after his arrest, Mitchell told police and a federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent that abortion clinics are akin to Nazi death camps, the records say.

The clinic is the site of weekly anti-abortion demonstrations. A small fire in 1994 caused about $13,000 in damage.

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