The man accused of setting fire to Mississippi’s Beth Israel synagogue will stand trial on Oct. 15, a federal judge decided Wednesday.
After a second continuance was granted earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate set the trial date for Stephen Spencer Pittman. The 19-year-old is facing charges of arson, damaging religious property, and using fire to commit a federal felony.
During the early-morning hours of Jan. 10, Pittman is said to have broken into Beth Israel synagogue in Jackson, doused a portion of it in gasoline, and set it on fire.
A native of nearby Madison, Pittman confessed to the crimes shortly afterward and was turned in to law enforcement by his father, the FBI said. Law enforcement also alleges Pittman had antisemitic motives behind the crime.
If convicted, Pittman faces up to 50 years in prison and up to $750,000 in fines. He is currently being held in the Forrest County Jail after initially being treated at a Jackson hospital for injuries believed to be related to the fire. Pittman has pleaded not guilty.
Judge Wingate said a pretrial conference will be held Sept. 17. Trial will begin at 9 a.m. on Oct. 15.
