Jury Unanimously Recommends Death Penalty For Tree Of Life Synagogue Massacre Convict

It took fewer than two hours of deliberation for the jury’s unanimous decision that the murderer convicted of perpetuating the massacre at the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Synagogue should potentially face the death penalty.

Jurors in the penalty phase of Robert Bowers’ trial completed deliberations on Thursday, the trial’s 25th day, concluding that the defendant was mentally fit to be considered for capital punishment. The defense’s argument, that epilepsy or schizophrenia meaningfully influenced the killings, failed to persuade. 

Tree of Life Synagogue is the site of the 2018 mass killing that was the deadliest act of anti-Semitism in U.S. history, seen on April 21, 2023, in Pittsburgh, PA. Jurors in the penalty phase of Robert Bowers’ trial completed deliberations concluding that the defendant was mentally fit to be considered for capital punishment. JAHI CHIKWENDIU/GETTY IMAGES

After the verdict was read, Bowers’ attorney Judy Clarke asked for the jury to be polled, which meant each juror stood and expressed agreement.

The trial will continue on Monday, with Judge Robert Colville estimating it could last seven to 10 days. But prosecutors and the defense predicted it would take longer than that, due to potential rebuttal witnesses and the defense’s case.

Produced in association with Jewish News Syndicate

Edited by Saba Fatima and Maham Javaid