Pittman was informed of but waived his right to a speedy trial.
This is the second time this trial has been rescheduled. Previously, Pittman waived his right to a hearing on an additional federal charge after pleading not guilty. A trial date of March 1 was then rescheduled to the previous April 6 date.
Pittman is accused of using a torch lighter and an accelerant to start a fire at the Beth Israel Congregation in the early morning hours of January 10. The FBI says it has evidence that tracking data shows Pittman at the synagogue that morning.
He is also alleged to have sent messages to his father calling the temple a “synagogue of Satan.” The fire destroyed the temple's library, and caused severe damage elsewhere in the building.
During an initial hearing in January, FBI special agent Ariel Williams testified that Pittman’s parents told law enforcement that their son’s behavior had become erratic over winter break. They said their pets had grown fearful of Pittman and both parents said they considered locking their bedroom doors at night.
Williams, who reviewed FBI documents related to the case but did not directly interview Pittman or his parents, said Pittman’s parents referenced an earlier incident involving their son as reason for their fear, claiming that their son made offensive comments to his mother and appeared aggressive to his father when the latter stepped in.
According to Williams’s testimony, Pittman’s parents feared calling law enforcement in front of their son after he admitted to burning the synagogue. They devised a plan for his mother to take him to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for treatment while his father called local law enforcement.
Williams said an associate of the defendant had also contacted the FBI after hearing Pittman make antisemitic comments and saying that he was going to “burn a synagogue.”
Pittman faces federal counts that include arson, damaging religious property and use of fire to commit a felony. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Pittman faces an additional state level arson charge that carries the potential for stiffer penalties due to a hate crime enhancement.
A pretrial conference has been set for May 21. The trial has been rescheduled to begin June 1.
Attorneys for Pittman and the Department of Justice did not respond to requests for comment.
