Backpack suspect to see shrink

BOSTON

- The man arrested near the Boston Marathon finish line Tuesday carrying a backpack containing a rice cooker was sent to a state psychiatric facility for an evaluation yesterday after an initial court appearance.

Kevin "Kayvon" Edson, 25, was sent to Bridgewater State Hospital and ordered held on $100,000 bail at an appearance in Boston Municipal Court on charges of threatening battery, possession of a hoax explosive device, threats to commit a crime, disturbing the peace, disturbing a public assembly and disorderly conduct. He's due back in court May 7.

Edson was arrested Tuesday after ceremonies to mark last year's Boston Marathon bombings, in which two pressure-cooker bombs hidden in backpacks exploded, killing three people and injuring more than 260 others.

The backpack incident rattled nerves days ahead of this year's marathon.

Edson, with addresses in Boston and Wakefield, was stopped late Tuesday after passers-by told an officer they saw him yelling, walking barefoot down the middle of a street, veiled in black, in the rain. His face was painted yellow and blue, the traditional colors of the marathon, police said. The street was open to pedestrians at the time, and police said his presence was not a security breach.