Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooter found guilty in federal death penalty trial

[Gefn]

Robert Bowers was found guilty on Friday on all counts in the 2018 mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue that killed 11 worshippers.

Bowers was convicted on all 63 charges, including 11 counts of hate crimes resulting in death. Bowers offered to plead guilty if the death penalty was taken off the table, but prosecutors turned him down.

The jury deliberated for less than one day. Jurors will next weigh if Bowers should be sentenced to death.

Bowers stormed the Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018, gunning down 11 people in the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history. Bowers allegedly told investigators after his arrest that he wanted to kill Jewish people, according to a criminal complaint.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/pittsburgh-synagogue-mass-shooter-found-guilty-in-federal-death-penalty-trial/ar-AA1cDQzd?OCID=ansmsnnews11

[bigheadfred]

He more than deserves the death penalty.

[mountaineer]

The defense admitted his guilt, but didn't raise an insanity defense, for some reason. Bowers is a disgusting piece of crap idiot. Even if the jury votes for death, it won't happen in Pa.

[DefiantMassRINO]

Boston is still waiting for the Feds to execute the surviving Boston Marathon bomber.

[mountaineer]

Some tweets from a Pittsburgh TV reporter:

Bob Mayo
@BMayo_WTAE
The defense will have 24 hours to notify whether he will invoke a mental health defense.  12 hours after that, an envelope will be presented to the prosecution.
Then by 1pm Sunday, the defense will respond to the prosecution. This apparently involves mental health reports.
The judge would like to convene for the eligibility for death penalty phase as soon as reasonable. The prosecution suggests Monday, the 26th.
Defense has to notify prosecution and court by 1pm tomorrow of any mitigating factors it may present in the penalty phase.

[mountaineer]

Jury deliberations re his penalty are currently underway. The defense tried to persuade the jury to spare his life, claiming mental illness (why didn't they try that during the trial?) while prosecutors seek a death sentence.

More at WPXI

[mountaineer]

BREAKING: jury finds Pittsburgh synagogue shooting defendant eligible for death penalty.

That's just eligible. They still have to have more testimony - 7-10 more days - to decide whether to impose it.