Victims' family members and Jewish community react to Pittsburgh synagogue gunman's recommended death sentence

Hours after a jury recommended a death sentence for Robert Bowers, family members of the victims and survivors reacted at a news conference Wednesday.

"It doesn't bring deep comfort, but we hope, I hope this brings a measure of peace, peace of mind," survivor Deane Root said.

Leigh Stein lost her father, Daniel Stein, in the 2018 mass shooting.

"A piece of my heart will forever be gone," Leigh said.

"Justice has been served, and even though nothing will bring my dad back," she added, "I feel like a weight has been lifted and I can breathe a sigh of relief."

Worshipper Andrea Wedner was wounded and her 97-year-old mother, Rose Mallinger, was killed.

"May we always remember those who were taken too soon," Wedner said.

Rabbi Jeffrey Myers was among those who survived that horrific day.

"Today, we are embraced by the love not only by the judicial system, but of all the helpers around the world who have reached out to all of us within seconds of the verdict to once again uplift us and hold us together," he said.

Audrey Glickman, who hid in a storage area beneath a prayer shawl that morning, signaled that the punishment is appropriate.

"Had we not had this trial, the deeds of this criminal would have been glossed over in history," she said. "The purpose of the death penalty is not so much punishing, as cutting off the person from society, eliminating the evil, taking away the risk, the potential for infection, and the possibility of further harm to the citizens."

Others sent a message that antisemitism won't be tolerated.

"Sending a signal in the strongest possible terms that antisemitism and hate have no place in our hearts, no place in our communities, no place in our country," survivor Martin Gaynor said.

Some congregants said they personally feel anti-death penalty, but in this situation, they feel the gunman deserves it. 

One of the first congregants to walk outside of the courtroom on Wednesday offered her reaction. 

"The room was quiet, no one was reacting," Dor Hadash congregant Jean Clickner said. "Even at the end, I don't think there was a gasp or anything. You just -- it's in your heart. You just have to take it in."  

Congregation Dor Hadash never shied away from emphasizing its anti-death penalty stance, though the majority of the victims' families did support the prosecution's decision to reject an offered deal for the gunman to plead guilty but get life in prison, ultimately keeping the death penalty on the table. 

Everyone directly impacted by his trial agrees it's far from over, but this was a necessary step they've waited nearly five years to hear. 

Survivors and victims' family members gathered to share their stories at a news conference Wednesday afternoon after the jury's verdict.   

Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers was the first to speak, beginning with a blessing. He then said, "It's been quite an ordeal." 

"For me personally, the spirit of Rod Serling has lived in my house for five years," he said. "I look forward to being able to go home and Rod coming out of my closet and saying, 'Rabbi Myers, this extended play episode of The Twilight Zone is now concluded, you can get on with your life.' But what does that mean? That's what keeps me awake at night, these past months, not today really, but how do you heal afterward? Because we've been stuck in neutral for five years." 

He shared that today, in the Jewish calendar, is the day of love.

"I don't believe in coincidences. It was meant to be today. Why today? Because today we received an immense embrace from the halls of justice around all of us to say our government does not condone antisemitism in this most vile form that we've witnessed," he said.

Read more from other survivors and family members here.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh said the jury's verdict "shows that our justice system can work by giving a voice to the voiceless and by ensuring that we, as a society, can bring the perpetrator of this horrendous attack to account."

In its statement, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh expressed gratitude to the prosecution team and the jury. It also offered sympathy and prayers to the families of victims, survivors and first responders and remembered and honored the 11 victims.  

The statement read, in part: 

"As this chapter comes to a close, we reflect on the strength and resilience of Pittsburgh's Jewish community and the entire community. Although healing is not a linear process, together we have supported people in need of mental health services and ensured that we stay safe from harm. In the wake of the horrors of the worst antisemitic attack in U.S. history, our community neither retreated from participating in Jewish life nor suppressed our Jewishness. Instead, our community embraced our Jewish values—strengthening Jewish life, supporting those in need, and building a safer, more inclusive world.

"We will continue to help people through the long healing process and to honor those who were taken from us by remaining a proud, vibrant, visible, strong, and connected Jewish community, now and for generations to come."

The New Light Congregation, while acknowledging that many of its congregation members prefer the gunman spend the rest of his life in prison, said it agreed with the government that the death penalty was appropriate in this case.

The congregation thanked the jury and prosecutors for their "thorough and effective presentations and cross-examinations" and Judge Colville for his respect and humanity. 

"While the shooter did not testify, the prosecution ensured that his words echoed through the testimony of both prosecution and defense witnesses," the statement said, echoing prosecutor Soo Song's statement that the gunman's only regret is that he did not kill more people.  

The congregation's statement read in part: 

"As a congregation, we were prepared to accept either decision: death or life in prison. Many of our members prefer that the shooter spend the rest of his life in prison, questioning whether we should seek vengeance or revenge against him or whether his death would 'make up' for the lost lives.  Vigorous debate continues about the purpose the death penalty serves. 

"Yet Attorneys General Barr and Garland concluded that this case was different, that the death penalty was appropriate.  New Light Congregation agrees with the Government's position that no one may murder innocent individuals simply because of their religion. 

"We take this position not out of a desire to seek revenge or to 'even the score' but because we believe that the shooter crossed a line.  Too often in the past – and not just the recent past - governments and religious authorities have looked away when murder and mayhem occurred against Jews.  Too often in the past, these actions were sanctioned and championed by governmental authorities.  Too often, perpetrators have been allowed to celebrate their depravity.  Life in prison without parole would allow the shooter to celebrate his deed for many years.

"New Light Congregation accepts the jury's decision and believes that, as a society, we need to take a stand that this act requires the ultimate penalty under the law."

The family of Bernice and Sylvan Simon expressed "extreme gratitude" to the entire jury for their service during the "very long and arduous trial."

"In the course of performing their civic duty, they unselfishly endured great personal sacrifice, time away from family, friends, and work; as well as being disconnected from many everyday activities. They patiently and very attentively listened to all of the testimony and scrutinized the voluminous amount of evidence presented throughout the entire trial," their statement read. 

The family said they fully respect the jury's verdict and decisions. 

The family of Rose Mallinger said while there's no closure from the loss of their loved one, they feel "a measure of justice" has been served.

In a statement, the Mallinger and Wedner family thanked the jury for their "hard work and determination while upholding the law," acknowledging that the evidence was not easy to see or hear. 

"This sentence is a testament to our justice system and a message to all that this type of heinous act will not be tolerated. Returning a sentence of death is not a decision that comes easy, but we must hold accountable those who wish to commit such terrible acts of antisemitism, hate, and violence," the statement read in part.

The family went on to thank those involved with the trial, including prosecutors, the court, witnesses, family members, law enforcement, government experts and those who provided support during the trial. They also thanked advocates, clergy, community leaders, leaders of the three congregations and the 10.27 Healing Partnership.  

"May we always remember those who were taken too soon - Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil and David Rosenthal, Daniel Stein, Bernice and Sylvan Simon, Irving Younger, Melvin Wax, and Rose Mallinger. May their memories be for a blessing," the statement said. 

Elected leaders and other community leaders are also reacting after the jury recommended a death sentence for the gunman. 

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey called the decision a "step forward toward healing for our community" and said he hopes it provides a "measure of peace" for the friends and families of the victims. 

Councilperson Erika Strassburger, who represents the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, said she respect's the jury's ultimate decision. 

"This has been a test of one's stance on the death penalty for many in our community; it is easier to say the state has no right to take life in the abstract than it is when the offender has taken the lives of those in your neighborhood, your faith congregation, or your family."  

Gov. Josh Shapiro issued a statement, saying he stood with some family members and the Squirrel Hill community at the corner of Forbes and Murray in the hours after the massacre. And he was sworn into office on a bible that survived that day. 

"While the memories have been painful over the past several weeks, our justice system did its job and found the murderer responsible for the deadliest act of antisemitism in American history guilty," his statement said in part. 

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman also said he hopes the sentencing is "a step toward justice and healing" for the victims' families, survivors and the broader Jewish community. Calling the crime "heinous," he said he believes the jury's decision was "appropriate and just." 

Democratic Sen. Bob Casey said in a statement, "Today closes a painful chapter in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, but our work to honor the victims, and to root out antisemitism, must never end. Five years ago, fueled by hatred and bigotry, a shooter targeted worshippers observing Shabbat morning services in the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in our Nation's history. Eleven people were killed, six more were injured, and three congregations lost their house of worship. We can never bring back those 11 lives or forget the senseless attack on our Jewish community, but we can honor the victims and stand with our Jewish community by working every day to call out and end hatred and bigotry wherever we find it.

 "Today, I am praying for the families of Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Daniel Stein, Melvin Wax, and Irving Younger. May their memories be for a blessing."

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald issued a statement, saying in part: 

"Today's verdict doesn't right that wrong. For some, it may not even bring closure or comfort. It certainly doesn't erase the horror and grief felt by the families of those who died, by the survivors, or our Jewish community.

"Even today, almost five years later, I'm still overcome with emotions thinking about that day. But I also remember standing in the rain at Forbes and Murray, in the heart of our Squirrel Hill neighborhood, with thousands of our neighbors. They came together to show support, express their love, and mourn as a community.

"Like we did in 2018, our community will continue to come together in a place where different faiths and backgrounds all share common hopes and dreams. Love is what binds us together and community is what makes us stronger. The power of community is needed now more than ever.

"Our community must stand united against hate, against antisemitism, and in support of our Jewish family, friends, and neighbors.

"Hold all of those impacted by this tragedy in your heart today and always."  

Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik issued a statement saying he lost three acquaintances in the attack. 

"My hope is that today's verdict will bring closure to so much pain on the victim's families, to all our Jewish sisters and brothers and on all in the southwestern Pennsylvania community and beyond," he said in a statement, offering his prayers for the families and loved ones of victims.