MARK SCOLFORO

Robert Bowers, third from left, sits with his lawyers and takes notes during jury selection for trial in his potential death penalty case on April 24, 2023, in US federal court in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Dave Klug)

April 24, 2023, 10:52 pm

Jury selection begins in trial over 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue massacre

Prospective jurors say they would be capable of considering death sentence for Robert Bowers, accused of murdering 11 in deadliest antisemitic attack in US history

By Peter Smith and MARK SCOLFORO

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

April 24, 2023, 10:40 am

Death penalty trial to begin of man accused of killing 11 at Pittsburgh synagogue

Jury selection to start as prosecutors seek harshest penalty for truck driver Robert G. Bowers over the deadliest antisemitic attack in US history

By Peter Smith and MARK SCOLFORO

Driver's license photo of Pittsburgh synagogue massacre suspect Robert Bowers (Pennsylvania DOT)

April 14, 2023, 6:42 am

Death penalty looms over Pittsburgh synagogue massacre trial as jury selection nears

Robert Bowers has offered to plead guilty to 2018 shooting at Tree of Life that killed 11, in exchange for serving life in prison, but Justice Department has declined

By MARK SCOLFORO

A makeshift memorial stands outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in the aftermath of a deadly shooting in Pittsburgh, October 29, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

March 23, 2023, 11:24 am

Lawyers for Pittsburgh synagogue shooter say he has schizophrenia, brain impairments

Defense attorneys raise concerns about Robert Bowers, who offered to plead guilty to killing 11, wounding 7 in return for a life sentence, but prosecutors are seeking death penalty

By MARK SCOLFORO

Josh Shapiro takes the oath of office to become Pennsylvania's 48th governor at the state capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, January 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

January 18, 2023, 3:26 am

New Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro takes oath of office on Hebrew Bibles

Democrat, a devout Jew, is sworn in on 3 Jewish texts, including one from the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, scene of 2018 massacre

By Marc Levy, BROOKE SCHULTZ and MARK SCOLFORO

Signs hang on a fence surrounding the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, on September 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar/File)

December 3, 2021, 2:30 am

US court hears debate on allowing Pittsburgh synagogue shooter’s words at trial

Federal prosecutors, Robert Bowers’ defense team present arguments for and against letting statements he made on day of massacre to be used as evidence

By MARK SCOLFORO

This photo from Oct. 16, 2021, shows the dormant landmark Tree of Life synagogue with the fencing showing artwork submitted by Pittsburgh area school students in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

October 22, 2021, 4:24 pm

Three years on, Pittsburgh synagogue attacker still not on trial

As families and survivors plan subdued commemoration ahead of anniversary of deadly assault, some question government’s refusal to accept plea bargain as it pursues death penalty

By Peter Smith and MARK SCOLFORO

In this file photo taken on December 8, 2020 a member of staff poses with a vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination health center in Cardiff, South Wales. (Justine Tallis/AFP)

December 13, 2020, 2:53 am

US states to start getting COVID-19 vaccines Monday, after shot approved

3 million doses will initially be shipped out for health care workers and nursing home residents as America’s massive inoculation campaign kicks off

By MATTHEW PERRONE, Mike Stobbe and MARK SCOLFORO

Then-Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden waves to supporters before speaking at a drive-in rally at Dallas High School, in Dallas, Pennsylvania, on October 24, 2020. (Angela Weiss / AFP)

November 24, 2020, 9:21 pm

Pennsylvania certifies Biden win, 3 weeks after election

Projected win of state’s 20 electoral votes put former VP over 270 needed for him to be declared president-elect four days after the vote

By MARK SCOLFORO

Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center as vote counting continues, in Philadelphia, November 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

November 22, 2020, 1:52 am

Judge throws out Trump’s bid to stop Pennsylvania vote certification

Officials can now certify election results that show Joe Biden winning the state by more than 80,000 votes

By MARK SCOLFORO

People demonstrate outside the Pennsylvania State Capitol, Friday, November 6, 2020, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as vote counting continued. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

November 13, 2020, 11:57 pm

Republicans face setbacks in three key legal challenges; Trump law firm quits

Court rejects effort to block 9,300 late ballots in Pennsylvania; Michigan judge refuses to stop certification of Detroit-area results and campaign withdraws Arizona challenge

By MARYCLAIRE DALE and MARK SCOLFORO

File: A menorah and flowers are seen outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in preparation for a celebration service on the first night of Hanukkah, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, December 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

August 28, 2019, 3:07 pm

Death penalty filing in US synagogue massacre opposed by affected congregations

2 of 3 Jewish congregations protest decision, saying it will hand gunman more publicity and attention

By MARK SCOLFORO

Daniel Leger, left, and Andrea Wedner, both survivors of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting, embrace after Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto signed three gun-control bills into law, April 9, 2019, at the City-County Building in downtown Pittsburgh. (Steph Chambers/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP)

April 10, 2019, 10:40 pm

Victims of Pittsburgh synagogue massacre honored in state’s capitol

Unusual joint session of Pennsylvania lawmakers held a day after mayor signs new gun control measures; survivors of the deadly shooting also in attendance

By MARK SCOLFORO

Screen capture from video of Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, center, delivering the opening prayer in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, March 25, 2019. (YouTube)

March 27, 2019, 9:16 am

Democrats, Muslim lawmaker decry Christian prayer in Penn. House as divisive

Rep. Stephanie Borowicz recited ‘At the name of Jesus every knee will bow’ passage, thanked Trump for supporting Israel; Rep. Stephanie Borowicz says invocation was ‘offensive’

By MARK SCOLFORO

The Tower of Voices stands above visitors, dignitaries and family members of the victims of Flight 93 at the Flight 93 National Memorial on September 9, 2018 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images/AFP)

September 10, 2018, 12:42 am

Memorial for 9/11 victims to chime an ‘everlasting concert by our heroes’

Dedication comes nearly 17 years after passengers and crew on hijacked Flight 93 fought back against terrorists who then crashed the jetliner into a Pennsylvania field

By MARK SCOLFORO