Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre: 4 Years Later, No Trial For Suspect

PITTSBURGH, PA — A grim anniversary is being marked Thursday: Four years ago today, a man burst into the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill with a semi-automatic rifle and shot to death 11 people in the worst act of antisemitic violence in U.S. history.

Robert Bowers, the man accused of the homicidal rampage, has yet to go to trial.

The pandemic obviously played a role in the delay, as courtrooms were closed and trials postponed while the nation dealt with the health crisis. But even with the court system now functioning normally again, Bowers' defense team recently asked that the trial be put off until December 2023.

Federal Judge Robert Colville instead ruled that the trial would begin next April.

Bowers faces 63 charges, including multiple charges of hate crimes resulting in death, according to the Department of Justice. If convicted, Bowers could receive the death penalty.

Colville this week denied a motion from defense attorneys requesting they be allowed to survey potential jurors about their religious affiliation. Federal prosecutors had objected to the request, asserting that religious information is not required to be collected from possible jurors.

No matter when the trial eventually occurs, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh CEO Jeff Finkelstein recently told KDKA-TV:"There will never be full closure. This will stick with everyone for the rest of their lives."

As the protracted wait for the trial continues, HBO on Wednesday debuted a documentary on the shootings. "A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting" was produced by three celebrity Pittsburgh natives: Actors Michael Keaton and Billy Porter and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.