Prosecutor argues that Pittsburgh synagogue shooter should be eligible for death penalty

The gunman who committed the deadliest antisemitic attack in US history should be deemed eligible for the death penalty because he intentionally planned the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue attack and preyed on vulnerable victims as they were beginning Sabbath worship, a prosecutor urges jurors.

“On Oct. 27, 2018, this defendant violated the safe, holy sanctuary that was the Tree of Life synagogue. He turned it into a killing ground,” prosecutor Soo Song tells jurors in the sentencing phase for Robert Bowers, who was convicted last month in the attack that claimed 11 lives.

Bowers’ defense lawyers are scheduled to make their own closing arguments later today.

At issue is whether Bowers is eligible for the death penalty — a preliminary stage in the weekslong sentencing process. If it determines he is eligible, the jury will then hear evidence in the coming weeks before deciding whether to impose the death penalty. If it determines he is not eligible, Bowers will receive a life sentence without parole, Judge Robert Colville says during jury instruction earlier today.