U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate on Wednesday delayed the trial of Stephen Spencer Pittman until the October 2026 term to give the defense additional time to investigate, a court order shows.
The move marks the third postponement of a trial originally set for April 6 and previously moved to June 1 and then Aug. 3, the order says.
Pittman is accused of setting fire to Beth Israel, the largest Jewish house of worship in Mississippi in Jackson, authorities said. Flames damaged the synagogue’s library and administration building, and smoke and soot harmed the main sanctuary, court records show. No one was in the building at the time of the fire except the alleged perpetrator, authorities said.
A Hinds County grand jury indicted Pittman on a first-degree arson charge with a hate crime enhancement, court records show. He also faces federal charges including arson, damage to religious property and using fire to commit a felony, according to federal court filings.
With the hate crime enhancement, Pittman faces up to 60 years in prison in state court on top of any federal sentence, court records show. Pittman has pleaded not guilty and remains in jail as he awaits trial, the records say.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
