Jurors have begun deliberating in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial

[FakeNoose]

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette link: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2023/06/15/pittsburgh-tree-of-life-synagogue-robert-bowers-trial-dor-hadash-new-light-2/stories/202306150105

The case in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial was handed to the jury Thursday afternoon. The government presented their closing arguments in the morning, followed by the defense team for accused shooter Robert Bowers.

The jury of 12 men and women moved to deliberations around 2:30 p.m. Mr. Bowers faces 63 federal charges and the possibility of the death penalty in the Oct. 27, 2018 shooting in Squirrel Hill. On Thursday morning, attorney Mary Hahn steered jurors through the horrors of that day.

- snip -

The government’s closing arguments took jurors back through 11 days of testimony: The first-hand testimony from survivors, the harrowing descriptions from first responders, the damage the rifle bullets did to each victim’s body, and the hateful, antisemitic social media posts made by Mr. Bowers.

[Attorney Mary Hahn] called Mr. Bowers’ decisions and movements “cold, calculated, deliberate choices” that killed half of the people in the synagogue that morning in a matter of minutes.

- more at link -

Dear DUers, please realize that it's almost guaranteed that defendant Bowers will be found guilty. He was willing to admit guilt in exchange for a guarantee that the death penalty would be taken off the table. However the prosecutors refused to offer that. It's very possible that Bowers would/might be given the death penalty. We're expecting a rather quick jury deliberation, and hopefully this will be over quite soon.

[blue neen]

1. The testimony these past two weeks has been heartbreaking...

from survivors, police, families.

Robert Bowers knew exactly what he wanted to do, and then he went out and did it. He's a cold-blooded murderer, full of hate and venom. I hope he gets his just rewards.

[FakeNoose]

2. Yes extremely upsetting

I have avoided posting these stories on DU because we're certain there will be a guilty verdict.
The only thing we don't know is whether he'll get a death sentence or life without parole.

[blue neen]

3. One of the local news stations showed his mother in the courtroom, waving to her murderous son.

Seriously.

The judge made her stop it. I can't remember which day of testimony that was.