Jury resumes deliberations over death penalty for Pittsburgh synagogue shooter

A Star of David hangs from a fence outside the dormant landmark Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood, April 19, 2023. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
A Star of David hangs from a fence outside the dormant landmark Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood, April 19, 2023. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

A jury resumed deliberations today over the sentence for a gunman who killed 11 Jewish worshipers at a Pittsburgh synagogue, weighing the death penalty or life in prison without parole.

Jurors got the case yesterday and deliberated about seven hours before being sent home. Deliberations resumed around 8:30 a.m. this morning.

Robert Bowers perpetrated the deadliest antisemitic attack in US history when he stormed the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018 and opened fire, killing members of three congregations who had gathered for Sabbath worship and study.

The 50-year-old truck driver was convicted in June of 63 federal counts, including hate crimes resulting in death and obstruction of the free exercise of religion resulting in death.

Prosecutors have called for Bowers to be put to death, saying the attack was motivated by his hatred of Jews. Bowers spread antisemitic content online before the attack and told police at the scene that “all these Jews must die.” He has since expressed pride in the killings.

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