Defense witness says Pittsburgh synagogue shooter has high IQ and brain abnormalities
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The penalty phase of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial resumed at the federal courthouse Monday morning. Testimony continued as to whether the gunman knowingly and willingly planned the executions of 11 people.
There was more sparing Monday between the prosecution and the defense and whether the gunman was in the throes of delusion when he killed 11 people from three congregations in the Tree of Life synagogue.
Surprising testimony indicated that the gunman had an exceptionally high IQ and possessed superior intelligence when he planned and executed the attack on the Squirrel Hill synagogue.
But in direct questioning and cross-examination of a psychologist, the defense and prosecution continue to spar over whether that means he knowingly and willingly killed innocent worshipers or whether he was driven by a brain disorder and delusions.
Defense witness neuropsychologist Dr. Erin Bigler did not personally examine the gunman. Rather, he interpreted data gathered by other doctors in this case. Bigler revealed the gunman has an IQ in the 91st percentile score, indicating he has an exceptionally high intelligence. But Bigler also testified the gunman has brain abnormalities like slow processing speeds which result in problems making decisions and social interaction.
During hours of technical testimony, Bigler said these deficits are consistent with schizophrenia -- a brain disorder which he said changes the brain and can result in abnormal behaviors, though he said he could not give a definitive diagnosis.
On cross-examination, U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan seized on this as he has with other defense witnesses questioning the diagnosis of schizophrenia. Bigler testified the gunman had conditions that are assorted with schizophrenia.
Olshan said, "All of those risk factors could be associated with a different condition. Isn't that correct, doctor?"
"Different brain conditions. That's correct," Bigler said.
Bigler is scheduled to be the last defense witness in the so-called eligibility phase. The jury will need to decide if the gunman is eligible for the death penalty before the trial resumes.
Recapping the penalty phase
On Friday, the prosecution poked holes in the defense's case that the gunman acted out of mental illness and delusion when he killed 11 people in October 2018, including the examination of notes taken by a psychologist who interviewed the gunman four times at the Butler County Jail.
Under cross-examination, defense witness Dr. Richard Rogers referred to those notes, testifying that the gunman was pleased with his actions and wished he had killed more people.
Dr. Rogers testified to another note that spoke of the gunman laughing about a Nazi holocaust reference he made.
During other portions of the penalty eligibility phase of the trial, the defense team called a medical expert to the stand who testified that the convicted gunman is schizophrenic, epileptic, and has repeatedly tried to kill himself since childhood, starting when he was ten years old.
Prosecutors challenged the diagnoses of epilepsy and schizophrenia.
They also produced a psychiatric report from the Allegheny County Jail following the shooting, which said the defendant appeared rational, had no suicidal thoughts, and showed no signs of delusion.
Last month, the gunman 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
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.
Editor's note: This story references suicide. If you or a loved one is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.