Tree of Life Synagogue Shooter Found Guilty of All Charges

Robert Bowers, the man who killed 11 people at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018, was found guilty of 63 federal charges, including 22 charges punishable by death. 

Details: Bowers was found guilty of 11 counts of “obstructing the exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death,” a capital offense. During the trial, his lawyer did not dispute that Bower was the gunman, but instead argued that Bower’s actions were not done out of a desire to obstruct worship, attempting to avoid the death penalty. Prosecutors cited statements made by Bower online prior to the attack, such as “Jews are the children of Satan,” as well as statements to police after the shooting, including “all these Jews need to die,” to argue Bower “harbored deep, murderous animosity towards all Jewish people.” Prior to the ruling, prosecutors denied a settlement offer from Bower’s lawyer, which would have seen Bower plead guilty to avoid the death penalty. 

Key Quotes: A statement from the Anti-Defamation League labeled the shooting “the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history” and praised the guilty verdict. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) called the verdict “a clear rebuke of the hate and antisemitism that motivated the defendant to target worshippers observing Shabbat morning services.”

How The Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum covered the verdict announcement. The New York Post (Lean Right bias) coverage stated the verdict comes “at a time of mounting antisemitism across the United States.”