Death penalty sought in Pittsburgh murders
Robert Bowers faces charges after killing 11 in hate-filled rampage
PITTSBURGH – The long-haul trucker accused of shooting and killing 11 worshippers in a hate-driven rampage at a local synagogue made a brief court appearance in a wheelchair Monday and was ordered back for a preliminary hearing Thursday.
Robert Bowers, 46, was assigned a court-appointed lawyer and waived a reading of the charges he faces. He was being held without bail for the attack the Anti-Defamation League called the deadliest against the Jewish community in U.S. history.
Bowers, who was wounded in a gunfight with police during Saturday’s carnage at Tree of Life Synagogue, was released from a local hospital hours before the hearing.
Scott Brady, the U.S. attorney for the western district of Pennsylvania, said after the hearing that the case would be presented to a federal grand jury within 30 days.
In court documents filed just before the hearing, prosecutors described Bowers as a danger to the community. Prosecutors wanted Bowers held without bail, asserting that “no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure” his appearance at future court hearings.
Brady said earlier that he has begun the process of gaining the approval of Attorney General Jeff Sessions to pursue a death penalty case.
President Donald Trump has expressed support for Brady’s position, saying that “when people do this, they should get the death penalty. And they shouldn’t have to wait years and years.”
The White House announced that Trump and first lady Melania Trump would visit Pittsburgh on Tuesday “to express the support of the American people and to grieve with the Pittsburgh community.”
Brady said Bowers’ apartment in Baldwin, about 10 miles south of the Squirrel Hill neighborhood where the shooting took place, and his vehicle were being searched.
Jon Pushinsky, 64, a member of the Tree of Life Synagogue, came to watch the court proceedings, saying he wanted to bear witness. He was struck by Bowers’ everyday appearance.
“It was not the face of villainy that I thought we’d see,” he said.
Authorities say Bowers, armed with a semiautomatic rifle and three Glock .357 handguns, burst into the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue on Saturday, shouting anti-Semitic epithets and opening fire on the congregants.
Rabbi Jeffrey Myers said he had just started services when he heard the gunfire. He told eight congregants to duck behind the thick oak pews and remain silent while he hustled others near the front out of the room.
The shooting grew louder and he could not make his way back, he said. He raced to a safe space in the choir loft while calling police. Twenty minutes later, he was extricated by SWAT officers, he said. One of the congregants left behind was shot but survived, he said.
“The other seven of my congregants were gunned down in my sanctuary,” Myers told CNN.
“There was nothing I could do. ... I wish I could have done more.”
Bacon reported from McLean, Va. Londberg and Kenning reported from Pittsburgh. Contributing: Ryan Miller and Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY; The Associated Press