Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Trial Begins, Prosecutors Pursue Death Penalty

The Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial of Robert Bowers began with an audio of a 911 call from one of the victims. The suspect was accused of killing 11 worshippers following a mass shooting last October 2018.

On May 30, the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial of Robert Bowers, 50, reportedly began with an audio of a 911 call from one of the victims. The federal prosecutors played the call where commotion and shrieking can be heard on top of loud gunshots.

An article in CNN states that the first witness in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial was Shannon Basa-Sabol who answered the call from Bernice Simon last October 2018. Unfortunately, Bernice, 84, and her husband, Sylvan Simon, 86, were both killed along with 9 other individuals.

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Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Trial

An article in Al Jazeera states that during the opening statements for the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial, both prosecutors and defense attorneys focused on Bowers’ intent and motive for the crime. Prosecutors state that the suspect executed the attack because of his hatred for Jews.

However, defense attorney Judy Clarke countered asking the jurors to thoroughly scrutinize Bowers’ intent for the crime despite acknowledging that it was a planned attack. Nonetheless, Bowers reportedly pleaded not guilty to 63 charges which include obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death and hate crimes resulting in death.

The Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial is expected to last into July. This is because the jury selection started in late April, with 12 jurors and 6 alternates who seated last week. If convicted, Bowers could apparently face the death penalty.

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