THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, February 21, 1997             TAG: 9702210836
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 
DATELINE: ALEXANDRIA                        LENGTH:   55 lines

SUSPECT IN ABORTION CLINIC FIRE ORDERED HELD WITHOUT ANY BOND HE COULD BE A RISK TO THE PUBLIC, AND MAY NEED SUICIDE WATCH, COURT IS TOLD.

A man who confessed to torching an abortion clinic takes antidepressant medication and may try to kill himself, a federal prosecutor said Thursday.

James A. Mitchell is under mental health care and takes the anti-depressant Prozac, Assistant United State Attorney Kathleen Kahoe said during a brief court hearing. Kahoe said Mitchell could be a danger to society if released, and may need to be under a suicide watch.

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

Federal authorities charged Mitchell, 38, with arson under a law protecting interstate commerce. The law has been used to protect abortion clinics. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Mitchell admitted breaking into the Commonwealth Women's Clinic in suburban Falls Church and setting patient files on fire. The fire Tuesday night caused extensive damage to the clinic's first floor.

State authorities agreed to drop lesser charges of burglary with the intent to commit arson and possessing burglary tools.

Mitchell, who was arrested at the scene, told a federal agent he carefully planned the attack, according to court documents.

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

Mitchell, clad in a flannel shirt and blue jeans, told the judge he cannot afford a lawyer. The judge said she would appoint a lawyer for him.

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

Mitchell has no known ties to anti-abortion groups, according to a warrant signed by ATF agent J. Thomas Perambo.

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 now.

Mitchell lived on and off with his parents in Nokesville, about 60 miles west of Washington, before his arrest. He is unmarried and unemployed.

The clinic in this Washington suburb is the site of weekly anti-abortion demonstrations. Another fire was started behind the clinic in 1994.

Federal marshals guarded the entrance to the clinic for several weeks after the 1994 fire.

The clinic, also known as the American Women's Clinic, serves about 300 women a month, and about one-fourth receive abortions, clinic director Wayne Codding said.

KEYWORDS: ARSON FIRE ABORTION CLINIC ARREST