It will be awhile before accused synagogue burner Stephen Spencer Pittman faces justice.
A federal grand jury indicted Pittman for arson, damage to religious property, and use of fire to commit a felony after he allegedly torched Beth Israel Congregation at 3 AM on January 10.
The charge of damage to religious property carries a maximum penalty of 20 years or less in prison and/or a $20,000 or less fine while the charge of use of fire to commit a felony carries a maximum penalty of a prison sentence of 10 years or less and/or a fine of $250,000 or less. Pittman faces a prison sentence of 5-20 years and/or a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted of arson.
The Court denied Pittman bond.
Pittman asked the Court to postpone his trial scheduled for August 3, claiming he needed more time to review the evidence. The Justice Department did not oppose the motion.
U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate continued Pittman's trial until the October term.
Synopsis of Case
Pittman allegedly torched Beth Israel Congregation at 3 AM Saturday. The fire burned up the library, destroying two Torahs, and offices. Beth Israel is at 5135 Old Canton Road and was built in 1967.
The FBI arrested Pittman later that day and charged him with arson. An FBI Special Agent's affidavit said Pittman allegedly walked into the building with a gas container. Pittman drove from his Madison home, stopped at Mac's Gas in Ridgeland to fill up a gas container, and continued on to Beth Israel. He completely covered his face and removed his license plate so as to prevent identification.
Once at Beth Israel, Pittman inexplicably texted his father a picture of the rear of Beth Israel and messages such as "There's a furnace in the back," "Btw my plate is off," "Hoodie is on", and "they have the best cameras."
The father begged his son to come home but Spencer Pittman replied he "was due for a home run" and "I did my research." Later that morning, Pittman's father saw he had burns on his hands, ankles, and face. The father confronted his son, who promptly confessed.
The accused arsonist said he broke open a window at Beth Israel, went inside, and set it in fire. Pittman laughed as he told the story to his father, bragging "he finally got them." The little firebug called Beth Israel the "synagogue of Satan", a common trope among anti-Semites.
Pittman's father turned him into the police.
The federal grand jury indicted him several days later for arson. Pittman faces between 5 and 20 years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000 or less if convicted.
A Hinds County grand jury indicted him for arson within 48 hours of the attack as well. Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens seeks an enhancement since the building burned was a place of worship. The enhancement will double the maximum penalty from 30 to 60 years in prison.
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