Pittsburgh synagogue attack suspect indicted by federal grand jury
Published October 31, 2018
Robert Bowers (AFP/Getty Images)
(JTA) — The suspect in the shooting attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue that left 11 worshippers dead was indicted by a federal grand jury.
The 44-count indictment, which notes that Robert Bowers, 46, made statements indicating his desire to kill Jews, was announced on Wednesday by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania Scott W. Brady, and FBI-Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones.
“Hatred and violence on the basis of religion can have no place in our society,” Sessions said in announcing the charges. “Every American has the right to attend their house of worship in safety. The defendant in this case allegedly murdered 11 innocent people during religious services and injured four law enforcement officers. These alleged crimes are incomprehensibly evil and utterly repugnant to the values of this nation. Therefore this case is not only important to the victims and their loved ones, but to the city of Pittsburgh and the entire nation.”
Thirty-two of the charges are punishable by death, according to the indictment.
The charges include: Eleven counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death; eleven counts of use and discharge of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence; two counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs involving an attempt to kill and use of a dangerous weapon and resulting in bodily injury; eleven counts of use and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; eight counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs involving an attempt to kill and use of a dangerous weapon, and resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer; and one count of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs involving use of a dangerous weapon and resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer.
Bowes, who currently is in jail without bail, faces a maximum possible penalty of death, or life without parole, followed by a consecutive sentence of 535 years’ imprisonment. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
