Suspect in Pittsburgh synagogue massacre pleads not guilty
Robert Bowers claims he didn't commit the crime in which 11 congregants at the Tree of Life Synagogue were killed, though his lawyer signalled he might be open to a plea deal
The man charged over the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre has pleaded not guilty to hate crimes and dozens of other counts, but his new lawyer signalled he might be open to a plea deal.
Robert Bowers, a truck driver who authorities say gunned down 11 people at the Tree of Life Synagogue, appeared in federal court with lawyer Judy Clarke, who expressed hope the case would be resolved without a trial.
She is known for negotiating plea deals that helped some of the nation’s most infamous killers avoid death row, including Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, Atlanta Olympics bomber Eric Rudolph and Arizona gunman Jared Lee Loughner, who killed six people and injured 13 others including congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
She also represented Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev who was sentenced to death.
Prosecutors in Pittsburgh have previously indicated their intent to seek the death penalty against Bowers, but a final decision rests with the US attorney general.
Asked if the government would consider a plea deal that spares Bowers a potential death sentence, US attorney Scott W Brady said: “The defendant is charged with crimes that carry the maximum possible penalty of death. We are committed to seeking justice for the victims and their families in this case.”
Assistant US attorney Troy Rivetti said in court that a trial could last about three weeks, not including any potential penalty phase.
Bowers, who was shackled, said little, giving yes or no answers.
A grand jury on January 29 added 19 counts to the 44 Bowers was already facing. The additional charges include hate crimes, obstruction of religious belief and the use of a firearm during crimes of violence.
Bowers, 46, of Baldwin, Pennsylvania, is accused of targeting worshippers from three Jewish congregations when he attacked on Saturday October 27, during Sabbath services.
Seven people were wounded, including five police officers.
Donna Coufal, a member of the Dor Hadash congregation that occupies space at Tree of Life, said she attended Monday’s arraignment “to bear witness. It’s been a painful time, but we remain strong as a community”.
Investigators say Bowers posted criticism of a Jewish charity on social media before the attack, claiming the Immigrant Aid Society “likes to bring invaders that kill our people”.
Authorities said he raged against Jews as he gunned down his victims, and told investigators “all these Jews need to die”.
Bowers is being held in Butler County Prison, about 35 miles north of the shooting scene.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.