U.S. Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac ordered a psychiatric evaluation for Stephen Spencer Pittman, saying there is reason to believe he “may presently be suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering him mentally incompetent,” a court order shows.
Isaac granted a request from Pittmans defense counsel. In a motion, public defender Michael L. Scott wrote that Pittman “may currently be suffering from an undefined mental disease,” which the defense says could make him incompetent to stand trial, the motion said.
Pittman, 19, of Madison, is accused of setting fire to the Beth Israel Congregation on Jan. 10, prosecutors said. The synagogue is Mississippis largest Jewish congregation, court records show. He is charged with arson, damage to religious property and use of fire to commit a felony, records show.
The U.S. Marshals Service was directed to take Pittman to a facility for the evaluation, according to the order. He is being held without bond at the Forrest County Jail, the order says.
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
