Jackson Synagogue Burning Suspect Tells Judge, 'Jesus Christ Is Lord

[In It to Win It]

https://www.mississippifreepress.org/suspect-in-beth-israel-burning-called-it-a-synagogue-of-satan/

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Stephen Pittman beamed into federal Magistrate Judge Andrew Harris’ Jackson courtroom from his hospital bed on Monday, his IV visible on a TV screen as the judge asked the man accused of setting Beth Israel Congregation on fire if he understood his rights.

“Yes sir,” Pittman said. “Jesus Christ is Lord.”

He is the suspect in an arson fire at a synagogue that was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan decades ago. The FBI said on Monday that he admitted to targeting the historic institution because it’s a Jewish house of worship and confessed what he had done to his father, who turned him in to authorities after observing burn marks on his son’s ankles, hands and face.

Pittman was charged with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of fire or an explosive. The 19-year-old suspect confessed to lighting a fire inside the building, which he referred to as “the synagogue of Satan,” according to an FBI affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Mississippi on Monday.

19 years old. Where was he radicalized?

— Sherrilyn Ifill (@sifill.bsky.social) 2026-01-12T23:57:58.014Z

[tanyev]

1. He knows the Jesus described in the New Testament was Jewish, right?

🤨

[RedWhiteBlueIsRacist]

2. If I'm not mistaken, Philo of Alexandria was troubled by idiots misinterpreting myths and causing mayhem.

They need to lock this guy up and throw away the key. I do wish a learned Rabbi would inform the fool what is really behind the phrase, Jesus Christ. Do it for Philo's sake!