Competency hearing sought in terrorist support case

CLEVELAND – The attorney for a man accused of scouting locations in Cleveland to attack people watching Fourth of July fireworks and who talked about carrying out additional bombings is requesting a competency hearing for his client.

Federal public defender Charles Fleming filed a motion Wednesday saying Demetrius Pitts has “longstanding mental concerns,” and Fleming questions whether he is competent to stand trial. Cleveland.com reports that the attorney asked a judge to order a psychiatric or psychological examination and to hold a hearing after the medical report.

Pitts has been charged with trying to support terrorism.

Federal authorities said earlier that Pitts had expressed his support for al-Qaida for more than a year.

The attorney added that federal prosecutors do not object to the request.

The FBI arrested the 48-year-old Pitts on July 1. Officials have said he is an American citizen.