Guilty plea expected in Mass. black church arson

BOSTON (AP) - One of three white men accused of torching a predominantly black Massachusetts church because they were angry with Obama's election has agreed to plead guilty...

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

BOSTON (AP) — A person familiar with the investigation says one of three white men accused of torching a predominantly black Massachusetts church because they were angry with President Barack Obama’s election has agreed to plead guilty.

Benjamin Haskell is due for a change of plea hearing Tuesday in federal court in Springfield, Mass. The 23-year-old Haskell had pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges.

A person informed of the change of plea tells The Associated Press that Haskell will plead guilty. The person spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the hearing.

Haskell’s attorney and federal prosecutors did not immediately return messages.

The fire destroyed the Macedonia Church of God in Christ in Springfield on Nov. 5, 2008, just hours after the election.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

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