Defense team begins its case in death penalty phase of Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The defense team has started its case during the penalty phase of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial.
During this phase of the trial, the jury is deciding whether or not the convicted gunman Robert Bowers is eligible for the death penalty.
Earlier this month, Robert Bowers was convicted and found guilty of all 63 federal charges he was facing for the attack at the Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018, when he killed 11 worshippers from three different congregations, Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light. It was the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history.
In the guilt phase of the trial, the defense did not call a single witness. But now that the trial has entered the penalty phase, they've summoned a parade of medical experts trying to convince the jury Bowers' actions came not from delusions.
In a day filled with technical medical testimony, the jury was asked to look at brain scans and hear details about brain abnormalities.
Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Newberg, testifying remotely over a video screen, said he found chemical imbalances in Bowers' brain, which he said could result in an inability to process feelings and emotions and could result in delusions and hallucinations.
But Newberg and other witnesses fell short of establishing defense claims that Bowers is both a schizophrenic and an epileptic. Newberg said while his findings were consistent with schizophrenia, he could not make that determination.
Another witness, radiologist Murray Solomon, testified he found evidence associated with schizophrenia but did not put it in his original report. The prosecution questioned Solomon's expertise when he said he learned of the association only later when he did a Google search.
And none of the witnesses examined Bowers as a patient and were asked to interpret MRIs and PET Scans.
Prosecutor Eric Olshan asked Newburg: "Is it your conclusion that a person with these (results) is incapable of killing another person?"
Newberg replied: "I don't think that can be answered on the basis of a PET scan."
On Wednesday, the defense will be calling additional witnesses all in an effort to convince the jury Bowers acted out of delusion and brain impairments.
Support is available for those in need during the trial
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.
Phone: 412-697-3534
Email: info@1027HealingPartnership.org
Website: 1027healingpartnership.org
More resources can be found here.