A devastating assault on a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018, which claimed the lives of 11 worshippers, has been described as an act of “malice and hatred” during the ongoing trial of the accused gunman, Robert Bowers. The 50-year-old is dealing with over 60 federal expenses, including hate crimes leading to death and obstruction of free exercise of religion leading to death. If convicted, he may face the dying penalty.
The victims, eight males and three girls, aged between 54 and 97, had been killed on October 27, 2018, when the attacker entered the Tree of Life synagogue and opened fireplace. Bowers has pleaded not responsible to all charges. Unexplained had proposed a guilty plea in trade for a life sentence, however federal prosecutors rejected the supply. Most of the victims’ families have expressed help for the dying penalty.
Lead prosecutor Soo Song acknowledged in her opening remarks that the defendant had moved methodically through the synagogue to find the Jews he hated and kill them. The court heard the distressing 911 name made by one of many victims, Bernice Simon, who was killed along together with her husband, Sylvan. Several survivors were brought to tears through the proceedings.
Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, a survivor of the assault, recalled his prayers during the horrifying occasion, reflecting on the centuries of persecution faced by his people. The Tree of Life synagogue was shared by three congregations: Dor Hadash, New Light, and the Tree of Life.
Defence lawyer Judy Clarke acknowledged that there was no disputing her consumer carried out the attack but questioned whether or not he had acted out of hatred. She argued that the demise penalty sentencing option was unconstitutional as a result of Bowers suffers from serious mental diseases, together with schizophrenia. Clarke described him as “a socially awkward man who didn’t have many friends” with “misguided intent” and “irrational thoughts”..