Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Eugene

(62,687 posts)
Mon Aug 26, 2019, 09:58 PM Aug 2019

Justice Department to seek death penalty against Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect

Source: CNN

Justice Department to seek death penalty against Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect

By Amir Vera, CNN
Updated 2207 GMT (0607 HKT) August 26, 2019

(CNN) — The Justice Department is planning to seek the death penalty against the suspected shooter in the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue massacre.

Robert Bowers, 46, has been charged in the October 2018 shooting that left 11 worshipers dead. His attorneys pleaded not guilty on his behalf in November and requested a jury trial.

Federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty on charges that include obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death, use and discharge of a firearm to commit murder and possession of a firearm during a violent crime.

Prosecutors say their intent to seek the death penalty is justified because Bowers' anti-Semitic views played a role in the shooting, the shooting was intentional and he showed no remorse, according to a federal notice to seek the death penalty.

Bowers has been indicted on 63 federal charges, including hate crime charges, according to a superseding indictment issued in January 2019. Of the 63 charges, 22 counts carry the death penalty, a Justice Department news release in January said.


https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/26/us/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-death-sentence/index.html
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»True Crime»Justice Department to see...