Pittsburgh Synagogue Killer Eligible For Death Penalty, Jury Says

PITTSBURGH, PA — A jury took less than two hours to determine that the man who murdered 11 people at a city synagogue in 2018 is eligible for the death penalty.

Robert Bowers, 50, formerly of Baldwin, drove to the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill in October 2018 armed with multiple firearms, including three Glock .357 handguns and a Colt AR-15 rifle.

While inside the synagogue, he killed and injured members of three congregations, as well as injuring multiple responding police officers they attempted to rescue surviving victims.

Bowers was found guilty last month of the 63 charges against him in the nation's deadliest-ever antisemitic attack. During the eligibility phase, prosecutors had to prove that Bowers intentionally committed the crime and that at least one aggravating factor applied to the mass shooting.

The next phase of the trial will involve the jury determining whether Bowers actually receives the death sentence or gets life in prison.

Regardless of the outcome, Bowers is likely will not be put to death in the immediate future. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has vowed to keep intact the state moratorium on executions.