Mental Health Evaluation Requested for Molotov Cocktail Suspect

The man accused of tossing a Molotov cocktail at the Ballston Common Mall is now set to have his mental health status checked out.

At a court hearing Monday, a defense lawyer for Leon Alphans Traille Jr. requested a mental capacity evaluation for his client. Traille threw a bottle into the Ballston Common food court Thursday, police said. The bottle reportedly caught fire, but it was quickly extinguished without causing injuries to anyone.

Traille, who sat with his head bowed during Monday's hearing, had to be lifted to his feet by two marshals, who escorted him back to jail, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Julie Carey reported.

Traille's attorney did not comment further on his evaluation request. The 29-year-old suspect is charged with reckless endangerment, attempted malicious bodily injury by use of fire, and use of a fire bomb.

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