A federal judge has again delayed the trial of the Madison man accused of setting fire to Mississippi’s largest synagogue, this time to Aug. 3.
U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate granted a second request from Stephen Spencer Pittman’s federal public defender for more time to review evidence in the case. Wingate signed the order Monday, and it appeared in the federal court’s electronic records Tuesday.
Pittman, who usually goes by his middle name, is facing three federal charges: arson, damage to religious property and using fire to commit a felony for allegedly burning the Beth Israel Congregation synagogue in northeast Jackson in January.
If convicted of all charges, he could face up to 60 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This photo provided to Mississippi Today, of a Snapchat account labeled “Spencer,” shows Stephen Spencer Pittman, 19, who has been indicted on state and federal arson charges in the Jan. 10, 2026, fire that heavily damaged Mississippi’s largest synagogue.Pittman has pleaded not guilty to all counts. He is accused of breaking into the house of worship and dousing a lobby in gasoline before setting it on fire. The blaze charred parts of the building and left smoke damage throughout.
Pittman remains in jail as he awaits trial, despite the efforts of his attorney, Michael Scott. Scott had previously successfully requested to move Pittman’s trial from April 6 to June 1. Federal prosecutors have not opposed Scott’s motions.
State and federal prosecutors indicted Pittman within days of his arrest by law enforcement at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Pittman was being treated for burns just a few hours after the synagogue fire.
In addition to the federal charges, Pittman is facing a separate first-degree arson charge in state court that is enhanced under a Mississippi law punishing “offenses committed for discriminatory reasons.”
In the weeks before the synagogue was attacked, Pittman began making antisemitic statements on social media and allegedly behaving in such a way that the “family pets were afraid” of him and his mother was considering “locking their bedroom doors at night,” an FBI agent testified at the February hearing.
Beth Israel Congregation leaders recently revealed plans for rehabilitating the one-story brick building, with work that included sending away the Tree of Life for cleaning and restoration. The brass plaque commemorates milestones such as congregants’ birthdays and anniversaries.
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