US EditionA Man Pleads Not Guilty to Setting Fire to Mississippi Synagogue
Stephen Pittman faces federal and state arson charges with a hate-crime enhancement after allegedly targeting a historic synagogue, with trial set for Feb. 23, prosecutors said.
- On Jan. 10, Stephen Spencer Pittman, 19-year-old defendant, pleaded not guilty to a federal arson charge for damaging Beth Israel Congregation, North Jackson, Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac presiding.
- Authorities allege Pittman bought fuel at Mac's Gas in Ridgeland, removed his license plate, broke a lobby window with an axe, poured gasoline, and ignited the fire, according to the affidavit.
- Court records show Stephen Spencer Pittman suffered burns to his hands, ankles and face, and hours after the blaze he posted a Snapchat hospital photo while St. Joseph Catholic School, Madison and Coahoma Community College condemned his alleged actions.
- If convicted federally, Stephen Pittman faces five-to-20 years in prison plus fines and supervised release, while Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens charges him with state first-degree arson with a hate-crime enhancement that could bring up to 60 years.
- Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac set Pittman's trial for Feb. 23 and ordered he remain jailed pending trial after finding a risk to witnesses, while Beth Israel launched a Rebuilding Fund.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Man accused of setting fire to Mississippi synagogue pleads not guilty
A 19-year-old accused of setting fire to a historic Mississippi synagogue pleaded not guilty to arson charges on Tuesday. Stephen Spencer Pittman was accused of setting fire to the Beth Israel Congregation around 3 a.m. on Jan. 10, badly damaging the structure but leaving no casualties. Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac denied the suspect bond and requested that the U.S. Marshals Service hold him in its detention for the duration of the tria…
The Columbus Dispatch
The Clarion LedgerAlleged Beth Israel arsonist pleads not guilty to federal charge in MS
Stephen Spencer Pittman, 19, pleaded not guilty for setting fire to Beth Israel in Jackson, Miss.
Man accused of setting fire to Beth Israel synagogue pleads not guilty to federal charge
The 19-year-old charged in setting fire to Mississippi’s oldest synagogue pleaded not guilty to a federal charge on Tuesday. Stephen Spencer Pittman appeared before Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac in Hinds County in connection with a Jan. 10 blaze at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson. The early-morning fire charred the synagogue’s office and library and destroyed two Torahs – the central and most sacred text in Judaism – and damaged more…
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