Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial begins behind closed doors, here's what we know so far

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Nearly five years after the worst antisemitic attack in U.S. history, the trial for the accused shooter began Tuesday in Pittsburgh. 

Opening statements began this morning at the federal courthouse Downtown for the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial.

Prosecution Opening Statements

Prosecutor Soo Song, the criminal division chief at the U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of Pennsylvania, began opening statements by describing, in horrific detail, the killing of each of the 11 victims at the synagogue in Squirrel Hill on Oct. 27, 2018.

Describing the three congregations gathering that Saturday morning, Song told the jury of the sanctity and refuge of their shared space. In her opening statements, she detailed their arrival and preparations for worship, saying each one by name and their rituals.

She characterized them as the "most devoted and faithful" members of Congregation Dor Hadash, New Light Congregation and Tree of Life Congregation

Then, Song outlined the arrival of the defendant armed with an arsenal -- three Glocks and an AR-15 -- determined to "destroy, to kill and defile." 

"He hated Jews. He called them the children of Satan. He wanted to fire up the ovens and exterminate them," Song told the jury of suspect.

In horrific and painstaking detail, Song described for the jury the killing of each one. Through it, the defendant betrayed no emotion but some family members of the victims began to weep.

"The defendant moved methodically through the synagogue finding the Jews he hated so much and killing them," Song said.    

"He left a trail of death and destruction through the synagogue, victims on the ground, clutching their prayer shawls, praying to God."

Song said, "We will seek justice in the name of the deceased victims," and then she again recited their names.

Defense Opening Statements

To the apparent surprise of the jury, Defense Attorney Judy Clarke began her opening statements by readily admitting that the defendant was responsible for the carnage, calling his actions immeasurable and inexcusable.

"This senseless act and devastation was caused by Robert Bowers, there is no disagreement. So, you may be looking at me right now and say why are we here," Clarke told the jury.

She said in this phase of the trial, she would have little to say to the prosecution's witnesses; but in the next phase, she would talk about her client's "motive and intent." 

"Why he did what he did, and what he thought he would accomplish," she said.

She began painting a picture of the defendant as a loner who became delusional with antisemitic lies on the internet that Jews were bringing in immigrants -- "invaders" -- who kill children. In the penalty phase of the trial, Bruce Antkowiak with St. Vincent College said Clarke will point to these and other factors in asking the jury to spare his life.

Government Presents Witnesses

The government began presenting its case with the tape of 911 call from victim Bernice Simon, saying her husband Sylvan is shot and bleeding. Shots can be heard and the call ends. Bernice and Sylvan Simon would die in the attack.

Tree of Life Congregation Rabbi Jeffrey Myers also took the stand, saying at the start of the gunfire, he told all of his congregants to get down and shelter, knowing they were mostly elderly and could not run or escape.

Myers described his escape route, saying he turned off the lights and ran from the chapel and went up to the choir loft. 

He finished his emotional testimony, saying he is tortured by that day. "I asked God to forgive me because I couldn't save them," he said. 

Ultimately, the defense will ask the jury to spare the defendant's life but for the next few weeks, they will simply listen to his horrific acts. Testimony resumes Wednesday morning.

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Jurors will first have to decide if the accused gunman is responsible for the deaths of 11 people at Tree of Life Synagogue. He faces 68 counts in the attack. However, since the beginning of the trial process, the case has been less about his guilt and more about whether he will get the death penalty. 

"Every single piece of evidence brought in is also of primary importance with respect to the prosecution's case that death is the appropriate penalty," according to law professor Bruce Antokowiak. 

The defense is led by Judy Clarke, who has defended several mass murderers in her career, including Unabomber Ted Kaczynski and Eric Rudolph, known as the Atlanta Olympics bomber. 

There are some new rules for this trial, and they're in place to protect and limit the release of certain sensitive details. That includes 911 calls, where you can hear gunshots in the background, autopsy photos, and scene photos involving the victims. 

The victims' family members asked the court to protect the memories of their loved ones, including how they're portrayed in death. The materials will still be made available in open court and will be used during testimony. 

Those details and evidence will not be posted on the court's website or made available to the public in any way.

For continuing coverage of the trial, visit this link.

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

In:
• Allegheny County
• Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Trial
• Robert Bowers
• Pittsburgh