THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 20, 1997 TAG: 9702200102
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 33 lines
FALLS CHURCH - James A. Mitchell, 38, was arraigned Wednesday on state charges that he torched an abortion clinic by piling patient files on the floor and setting them afire.
During a brief hearing in Arlington County General District Court, Mitchell told a judge he was unemployed and needed a court-appointed attorney.
Federal arson charges also were pending in U.S. District Court in Alexandria.
A law enforcement source said on condition of anonymity that Mitchell said he set the fire because he opposed abortion on religious grounds.
The clinic could reopen for some services today. Private school teacher charged in student assault
FAIRFAX - A teacher at a private school was charged Tuesday with binding the hands and mouth of a 2 1/2-year-old preschool student with masking tape, police said.
Maryam A. Setser, 29, is accused of assaulting a boy in the preschool program at the Congressional Schools of Virginia in Falls Church around Jan. 10, police said.
She was charged with simple assault, a misdemeanor, because the child was not injured.
Two school administrators were also arrested Tuesday on charges that they failed to report child abuse. From The Associated Press.