Jackson, Miss. the The man accused of starting the fire A man at a Mississippi synagogue pleaded not guilty to a federal arson charge Tuesday.
The fire severely damaged Congregation Beth Israel, a historic synagogue It was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan In 1967 for the group’s participation in the civil rights movement. No one was injured in the fire that engulfed the building shortly after 3 a.m. on Saturday, January 10.
During the hearing, Judge LaKisha Greer Isaacs denied bail for Steven Spencer Pittman, ruling that he must remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service for the duration of his trial.
The 19-year-old suspect appeared in court with his hands and ankles bandaged due to burn wounds, with a Bible sitting in front of him. The courtroom was packed with spectators, including many members of Congregation Beth Israel.
Prosecutor Matthew Wade Allen said Pittman should not receive bail because there is a serious risk that he will obstruct justice or threaten, injure or intimidate a witness or juror, such as his parents and members of Congregation Beth Israel.
FBI Special Agent Ariel Williams testified that Pittman’s parents said they had noticed changes in their son’s behavior since he returned home for winter break. Williams said Pittman’s mother told the FBI that their pets were afraid of her son and that she considered locking her bedroom door at night out of fear of his behavior.
Williams also testified that Pittman’s father told the FBI about an incident in which Pittman “leaned out” at his father, after his father tried to correct him because he said something offensive to Pittman’s mother.
In the lead-up to the synagogue fire, multiple witnesses, including Pittman’s parents, told the FBI that they heard Pittman make anti-Semitic comments and members of Pittman’s gym heard him say he wanted to burn down a synagogue, Williams said.
Pittman does not pose a danger to the community, said Mike Scott, Pittman’s public defender. He also said that Pittman suffered third-degree burns and that confining Pittman could pose a risk to his health.
Scott did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Pittman admitted to starting a fire inside the building, referring to it as the “Satan Temple,” according to an FBI affidavit filed in U.S. District Court.
Pittman is charged with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of gunfire or explosives. He was also charged with intentionally and maliciously setting fire to a synagogue. The indictment includes increased punishment for hate crimes.
Pittman faces five to 20 years in prison on the federal charge. The state charge carries a penalty of 5 to 30 years in prison, with a possibility of up to 60 years if proven to have committed a hate crime.
The judge set Pittman’s trial for February 23.