too soon

$100K Bail for Marathon Prankster

Boston man has history of mental illness.

A judge Wednesday set bail for Kevin Edson at $100,000 following his bomb hoax at the Boston Marathon's finish line Tuesday night. For leaving a backpack with a rice cooker in it, Edson will be arraigned on misdemeanor charges of disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, and disturbing a public assembly. Edson faces felony charges of possession or use of a hoax device and making a false bomb threat. The Boston Globe discovered that Edson, who describes himself as “performance artist,” has a history of mental illness and has made videos depicting himself in padded rooms and wearing straitjackets. A law-enforcement official said Wednesday that Edson had previously been sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for a mental-health evaluation.