Karl Freudenberger was convicted of arson, burglary and criminal mischief for vandalizing the Apostles Lutheran Church in August 2003. He faces a maximum 50 year sentence at an Oct. 13 hearing.
Freudenberger also confessed to vandalizing the First United Methodist Church in Brandon the same night, but was only tried for the Lutheran church.
Defense attorney Marcia Perlin said she expects his case to be tried again because the judge did not let her ask the jury to find Freudenberger not guilty by reason of insanity during closing arguments.
Hillsborough Circuit Judge Chet Tharpe limited her closing argument because she didn't present any witnesses to describe the alleged mental illness.
Freudenberger was living in the woods when he vandalized the churches. He told an investigator that he broke windows in the church and set fire to a Christian flag because he hates religion.
The Rev. C. Handlee Vige of the Apostles Lutheran Church said it took more than $290,000 and five months to repair the church.
