Second Suspect in Mass. Church Burning Expected to Change Plea to Guilty

Thomas Gleason, Jr., one of three men who allegedly burned down a black church a day after receiving news that Barack Obama was elected president of the Unites States, is expected to change his not guilty plea to guilty.
The 22-year-old, along with accused co-conspirators Michael F. Jacques, 25, and Benjamin Haskell, 23, allegedly doused the African American Macedonia Church of God in Christ in Springfield, Mass., with gasoline and set it ablaze, burning it to the ground on election night. The fire also caused serious injuries to firemen who responded to the scene.
The three men were charged with conspiracy and damaging religious property because of race, color or ethnic characteristics.

requested a change-of-plea hearing that is scheduled for June 29 at the U.S. District Court in Springfield. The accused was scheduled to go on trial later this week to face charges.
Haskell, who pleaded guilty last week, accepted a deal that calls for him to go to prison for nine years.