Judge orders psychiatric exam in airport incident

A psychiatric exam has been ordered for a Baton Rouge man who locked himself in the cockpit of an unoccupied plane at Metro Airport in August.

The Advocate reports that the order was issued Friday by U.S. District Judge James J. Brady at the request of J. David Bourland, Alessi's attorney.

Alessi has been held at East Baton Rouge Parish Prison since he surrendered to authorities at the airport.

No one was injured during the Aug. 22 incident.

Alessi is charged with interfering with security personnel. The charge carries a possible penalty of 10 years in prison. He is scheduled for an initial court appearance on that charge Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Docia L. Dalby.