Stars of David with the names of those killed in a deadly shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue stand in front of the synagogue in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018.
Matt Rourke / AP Photo
Stars of David with the names of those killed in a deadly shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue stand in front of the synagogue in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018.
Matt Rourke / AP Photo
(Pittsburgh) — A judge in Pittsburgh says she’s not ready to set a trial date for the man charged with killing 11 people inside a synagogue.
U.S. District Judge Donetta Ambrose on Thursday says she won’t schedule Robert Bowers’ trial until pretrial motions over the death penalty and other issues are resolved.
The judge is giving defense lawyers until mid-December to file motions challenging the constitutionality of the death penalty sought by prosecutors.
Federal prosecutors had asked for a fall 2020 trial to spare survivors and the families of those killed long delays.
But the defense is concerned the date would overlap with the Jewish holidays or a divisive presidential election.
The October 27, 2018, shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue is considered the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history.
We spotlight and uplift the creators around us, featuring amazing artists, musicians, authors, chefs, dancers, designers, photographers, and more.
The days of journalism’s one-way street of simply producing stories for the public have long been over. Now, it’s time to find better ways to interact with you and ensure we meet your high standards of what a credible media organization should be.