Synagogue shooting suspect pleads not guilty
Robert Bowers’ lawyer is prominent death penalty litigator Judy Clarke
PITTSBURGH — The suspect in the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre pleaded not guilty to dozens of charges Monday as his new lawyer, a prominent death penalty litigator, signaled he might be open to a plea deal.
Robert Bowers, a truck driver who authorities say gunned down 11 people at the Tree of Life Synagogue, appeared in federal court with attorney Judy Clarke, who expressed hope the case will be resolved without a trial.
Clarke is known for negotiating plea deals that helped some of the nation’s most infamous killers avoid death row, including Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, Atlanta Olympics bomber Eric Rudolph and Arizona shooter Jared Lee Loughner, who killed six and injured 13 others, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. A jury sentenced marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, whom Clarke represented, to death.
A spokeswoman for federal prosecutors in Pittsburgh has said a decision about whether to pursue the death penalty against Bowers remains under review. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti said in court Monday that if Bowers does opt for a trial, it could last about three weeks, not including any potential penalty phase.
Bowers, 46, of Baldwin, Pa., is accused of targeting worshippers from three Jewish congregations when he attacked Saturday, Oct. 27, during Sabbath services. Seven people were wounded, including five police officers.