Pittsburgh synagogue shooter Robert Bowers to be sentenced to death

PITTSBURGH — A jury has decided nearly five years after shooting and killing 11 worshippers in a Pittsburgh synagogue that Robert Bowers should be put to death.

BREAKING: Robert Bowers has been sentenced to death for killing 11 people inside the Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018. https://t.co/stglrPGpFV
— Amy Hudak (@amy_hudak) August 2, 2023

None of the jurors believed the defense’s claims that Bowers has schizophrenia or that he was motivated by delusions. They unanimously decided that death is the appropriate punishment.

Remembering the 11 people killed in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

The jury deliberated for around seven hours Tuesday before being released for the day. They resumed deliberations around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and notified the court they had reached a verdict around 11:15 a.m.

It was quiet in the courtroom with one of Bowers’ attorneys rubbing his back as the list of more than 100 mitigating and aggravating factors the jurors had to weigh was read aloud.

LIVE UPDATES: Family, friends, & officials react to death sentence for Pittsburgh synagogue shooter

Bowers did not look at jurors as the verdict was finally read.

There was a lot of emotion from some of the victims’ loved ones, who have been in the courtroom for almost two months.

Channel 11 approached Officer Tim Matson, who didn’t want to give an interview, but said he wouldn’t be alive today without his team.

Court reconvenes at 9 a.m. Thursday, with the judge expected to formally impose the sentence. Before that, families will have the chance to directly address Bowers.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health effects from the trial, go to 1027healingpartnership.org to find help resources. As always, call 911 to report threats.