Change of plea hearing set for accused Planned Parenthood, Joplin mosque arsonist

A pretrial conference scheduled for today for accused Joplin Planned Parenthood arsonist Jedediah Stout was postponed and a change of plea hearing scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 18, in Springfield.

Stout, 32, has admitted to law enforcement officers that he was involved, not only in the Planned Parenthood fires, but also that he was responsible for the arson fire that destroyed the Islamic Society Mosque of Joplin. At this point, no charges have been filed in that case.

The revelation about the mosque fires was first made public in a motion to hold Stout without bond filed October 21, 2013, in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri:

After being advised of his Miranda rights, the defendant confessed to the attempting set fire to the Planned Parenthood facility on October 3 and 4, 2013. 9. The defendant also confessed to setting fires at the Islamic Society of Joplin’s building on July 4, 2012 and on August 7, 2012. The building was completely destroyed in the August 7, 2012 blaze.

The case has been delayed because of various mental health examinations and request for continuances by Stout's public defender. The judge said prior to today's scheduled hearing that there would be no more confinuances, but the apparent April 18 resolution of the case changed his mind.