Current:Home > FinanceGrieving families confront Pittsburgh synagogue shooter at death penalty sentencing-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Grieving families confront Pittsburgh synagogue shooter at death penalty sentencing
View Date:2024-12-23 19:11:33
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Grieving families confronted the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter at his sentencing hearing Thursday, one day after a jury determined that capital punishment was appropriate for the perpetrator of the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history.
The hearing at the federal courthouse in Pittsburgh got underway, with some 22 witnesses — survivors of the 2018 massacre and relatives of the 11 people who were fatally shot — expected to deliver victim impact statements.
U.S. District Judge Robert Colville was expected to formally sentence Robert Bowers to death later Thursday.
“Mr. Bowers, you met my beloved husband in the kitchen. Your callous disregard for the person he was repulses me,” testified Peg Durachko, wife of 65-year-old Dr. Richard Gottfried, a dentist who was shot and killed. “Your hateful act took my soulmate from me.”
Mark Simon, whose parents, Bernice and Sylvan Simon, were killed in the attack, testified he still has their bloodied prayer shawl. He said he remains haunted by the 911 call placed by his mother, whom Bowers shot while she was on the line.
“My parents died alone, without any living soul to comfort them or to hold their hand in their last moments,” said Simon, condemning “that defendant” as evil and cowardly and urging the judge to show him no mercy.
“You will never be forgiven. Never,” Simon told Bowers.
Bowers, a 50-year-old truck driver from suburban Baldwin, ranted about Jews online before carrying out the attack at Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018. He told police at the scene that “all these Jews must die” and has since expressed pride in the killings.
Jurors were unanimous in finding that Bowers’ attack was motivated by his hatred of Jews, and that he chose Tree of Life for its location in one of the largest and most historic Jewish communities in the nation so he could “maximize the devastation, amplify the harm of his crimes, and instill fear within the local, national, and international Jewish communities.” They also found that Bowers lacked remorse.
The jury rejected defense claims that Bowers has schizophrenia and that his delusions about Jewish people spurred the attack.
Bowers, who was armed with an AR-15 rifle and other weapons, also shot and wounded seven, including five responding police officers.
He was convicted in June of 63 federal counts, including hate crimes resulting in death and obstruction of the free exercise of religion resulting in death.
veryGood! (8)
Related
- Dogecoin soars after Trump's Elon Musk announcement: What to know about the cryptocurrency
- After 34 years, girlfriend charged in man's D.C. murder
- Jon Scheyer's Duke team must get down in the muck to stand a chance vs. Houston
- Kia recalls 427,407 Telluride vehicles for rollaway risk: See which cars are affected
- The Best Corduroy Pants Deals from J.Crew Outlet, Old Navy, Levi’s & More, Starting at $26
- Here's how much you have to make to afford a starter home in the U.S.
- I screamed a little bit: Virginia woman wins $3 million with weeks-old Mega Millions ticket
- CLFCOIN proactively embraces regulation in the new era
- Record-setting dry conditions threaten more US wildfires, drinking water supplies
- Beyoncé features Shaboozey twice on 'Cowboy Carter': Who is the hip-hop, country artist?
Ranking
- The Surreal Life’s Kim Zolciak Fuels Dating Rumors With Costar Chet Hanks After Kroy Biermann Split
- Is the stock market open or closed on Good Friday 2024? See full holiday schedule
- Black voters and organizers in battleground states say they're anxious about enthusiasm for Biden
- Law enforcement executed search warrants at Atlantic City mayor’s home, attorney says
- Ryan Reynolds Clarifies Taylor Swift’s Role as Godmother to His Kids With Blake Lively
- Former US Sen. Joe Lieberman and VP candidate to be remembered at hometown funeral service
- Connecticut continues March Madness domination as leaving legacy provides motivation
- The Most-Shopped Celeb Recommendations This Month: Jennifer Lopez, Kyle Richards, Chrishell Stause & More
Recommendation
-
Disruptions to Amtrak service continue after fire near tracks in New York City
-
YMcoin Exchange: The New Frontier of Digital Currency Investment
-
Can adults get hand, foot and mouth disease? Yes, but here's why kids are more impacted.
-
South Dakota officials to investigate state prison ‘disturbance’ in Sioux Falls
-
Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin to kick off fundraising effort for Ohio women’s suffrage monument
-
Baltimore bridge collapse puts the highly specialized role of ship’s pilot under the spotlight
-
ASTRO: Bitcoin has historically halved data
-
Traffic deaths rise in U.S. cities despite billions spent to make streets safer