Robert Bowers, Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting, Pennsylvania 2018

A federal jury in Pittsburgh has unanimously recommended a death sentence for Robert Bowers, 50, who was convicted of killing 11 congregants at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, critically wounding two others, and injuring five responding police officers in October 2018.

The jury found Bowers guilty on 63 counts, including hate crimes resulting in death and obstruction of the free exercise of religion resulting in death, that were potentially punishable by a death sentence. The trial lasted two months, with the jury hearing evidence for three weeks and deliberating for several days before reaching a verdict.

The jury then heard additional evidence during a sentencing phase, which lasted from July 17 through July 31. They deliberated on aggravating and mitigating factors before arriving at their unanimous recommendation of a death sentence.

U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania said, "The evidence in this trial proved that the defendant acted because of white supremacist, anti-Semitic and bigoted views that unfortunately are not original or unique to him."

"Our Constitution protects a person's right to hold repugnant beliefs. But our Constitution also protects every person's right to practice his or her faith. When people who espouse white supremacist, anti-Semitic, and bigoted views pick up weapons and use them to kill or try to kill people because of their faith, our Office and our partners in law enforcement will hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law," said Olshan.

The evidence showed that on Oct. 27, 2018, Bowers drove to the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, where members of the Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light Jewish congregations gathered to engage in religious worship. Bowers entered the building armed with a rifle and three handguns and opened fire on the congregants.

"The horrific attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue on October 27, 2018, stole the lives of 11 innocent victims, shattered their families, gutted their congregation and the Pittsburgh community, and struck fear in the lives of Jewish people across the country," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.

"Hate crimes like this one inflict irreparable pain on individual victims and their loved ones and lead entire communities to question their very belonging. All Americans deserve to live free from the fear of hate-fueled violence and the Justice Department will hold accountable those who perpetrate such acts," said Garland.

"The men and women of the FBI hold the Tree of Life Synagogue victims and the Pittsburgh community in our hearts as we continue to protect communities of faith from violent acts of hate," said FBI Director Christopher Wray.

"The damage caused by antisemitism cannot be understated, just as the tragic loss of the eleven victims cannot be measured. Healing will be a life-long journey for the survivors, families, and communities affected by this vile attack, and the FBI will be there to support them throughout that journey," said Wray.

Robert Bowers' exact sentence has not been determined, but he is currently eligible for a death sentence. The case is ongoing.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/jury-recommends-sentence-death-pennsylvania-man-convicted-tree-life-synagogue-shooting