Judge won't let Ohio man withdraw his plea in mosque fire

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A federal judge won’t allow a former Marine from Indiana man to withdraw his guilty plea to starting a fire at a mosque in Ohio.

The judge in Toledo on today rejected the request by Randy Linn, of St. Joe, Ind.

Linn says he was in an emotional state when he pleaded guilty. His attorney asked the judge to throw out the guilty plea so that the 52-year-old Linn could undergo a competency exam.

Prosecutors opposed the move and say Linn made it clear that he knew what was doing.

Linn says he set the fire at The Islamic Center of Greater Toledo last fall because he wanted revenge for the killings of American soldiers overseas.

A deal between prosecutors and Linn calls for him to receive a 20-year sentence.