Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial: Accused gunman's social media posts read to jury
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Jurors in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial heard testimony Tuesday about the alleged gunman's social media presence, which prosecutors said shows his hatred for Jews.
Evan Browne, a tactical analyst with the FBI, took to the witness stand Tuesday, reading hundreds of posts that investigators say the gunman published to Gab.com, some with hundreds of "likes."
The gunman wrote the word "Jews" 152 times and used a slur for the word "Jew" 87 times.
Nearly three dozen posts were made in just the last week leading up to the shooting. Hours before the attack, a post read, "HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people. I can't sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I'm going in."
Prosecutors say the gunman posted statements including, "Hitler did nothing wrong" and "every problem is caused by Jews."
He also shared these words posted by another user: "Call me a racist or a Nazi. I don't even care anymore. All I know is that my people are under attack, and we're losing it. #riseup."
There was also expert witness testimony from William Braniff, a terrorism expert who explained the many Jewish slurs, Nazi propaganda and antisemitic references made by the gunman online.
On Monday, the court heard from the president and CEO of HIAS, the only local Jewish organization that helps resettle refugees. The court also heard from Andrew Torba, the founder and CEO of Gab, and tense testimony followed.
Recapping the trial
In these first two weeks of trial, the prosecution has been fulfilling its burden of proving the defendant is responsible for the deaths of 11 people and the wounding of several others. And while there is little doubt of that, the government has another aim: showing he willfully, knowingly and brutally slaughtered innocent people -- a hate crime based on their religion -- and that his actions merit the death penalty.
To that end, the government has focused on the human toll, presenting the heart-wrenching testimony of survivors of the attack who witnessed the brutal slaying of their fellow congregants and narrowly escaped death themselves. The government did not spare the jury graphic images -- crime scene and autopsy photos -- saying they were necessary to establish the "force" and "malice" of the defendant who shot the defenseless victims at close range with an AR-15 military-style rifle.
"It's necessary for the very purpose of this whole proceeding which is to move this jury to the death penalty," said Bruce Antkowiak, a law professor at St. Vincent College.
With the first of police witnesses, close to a dozen officers testified they did not hesitate and went immediately and directly into the building and towards the gunfire -- several paying a heavy price for their valor. The alleged gunman is charged specifically with causing bodily injury to safety officers. The government will later argue the death penalty is merited on all these accounts.
This week, the government is expected to focus on the defendant's planning and the reasons behind the attack -- his immersion in conspiracy theories about Jewish people on the dark web.
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.
