Aug. 2 (UPI) — A federal jury recommended on Wednesday that Robert Bowers should receive the death penalty for the 2018 shooting at the Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue that killed 11.
In the aftermath of what has been called the deadliest anti-Semitic attack on U.S. soil, Bowers’s attorney had argued that Bowers suffers from severe mental and physical illnesses, including schizophrenia and epilepsy, along with suffering from a difficult childhood.
The same jury on July 13 found the 50-year-old truck driver guilty of 63 felony charges, including federal hate crime counts and 11 charges of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death.
Three congregations that use the Tree of Life building were preparing for services when Bowers shot out the windows and began his attack. The family of Rose Mallinger, who died in the attack, and Andrea Wedner, her daughter who was injured, released a statement.
“We thank the prosecutors and their staff for all their hard work and preparation leading up to and during the trial. We are grateful to the court for their diligence and thoroughness,” the Wedner and Mallinger family said.
“We also thank the courageous witnesses and family members, the members of local law enforcement and the FBI for their testimony and bravery, and the government experts who all contributed to justice being served.”
Inside the courtroom, there was near silence as U.S. District Judge Robert J. Colville read the unanimous verdict for death.
Bower was armed with four guns when he opened fire inside the building during his spree four years ago. Prosecutors said Bowers’ rampage was fueled by bigotry and that he was well aware of his actions.
Prosecutors said that Bowers shared conspiratorial views and threatened Jewish groups on social media. During the trial, prosecutors said he expressed anti-Semitic hatred in several online posts.
