Robert Bowers found guilty on all 63 counts in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial
Robert Bowers was convicted Friday of barging into a Pittsburgh synagogue and shooting everyone he could find, killing 11 congregants in an act of antisemitic terror for which he could be sentenced to die.
The jury reached deliberations in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial Thursday and returned to the courthouse Friday morning to continue.
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Even though jurors may still have questions, those could come in the penalty phase — which WPXI legal Analyst Phil Dilucente says is much more critical for the defense than the last 12 days — and that it will likely be a longer period of time because there are so many experts expected to testify.
We have a team of reporters inside the courthouse and have live updates throughout the day.
UPDATE 1:20 p.m.: Defense declines to comment
Defense attorneys for Robert Bowers declined to comment after he was found guilty on all charges this afternoon.
#BREAKING Defense attorneys for Robert Bowers declined to comment after he was found guilty on ALL charges this afternoon. @WPXI pic.twitter.com/tx8Qw0pqKG
— Nicole Ford (@NicoleFordTV) June 16, 2023
UPDATE 11:53 a.m.: Robert Bowers found guilty
Robert Bowers has been found guilty on all counts in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.
In the next phase of the trial, the jury will have to decide if he is sentenced to life in prison or if he’ll receive the death penalty.
Court will reconvene on June 26.
UPDATE 11:20 a.m.: Verdict is in
The verdict is in. It will be given in 30 minutes, according to the court.
We are waiting for each of the 63 counts against Robert Bowers to be read out.
The jury deliberated for nearly five hours before reaching their decision.
#BREAKING The jury has reached a verdict. We will hear in 30 minutes. @WPXI
— Nicole Ford (@NicoleFordTV) June 16, 2023
The judge is asking the gallery to not give any emotional or vocal reaction to the verdict.
UPDATE 10:38 a.m.: Judge responds
The judge responds that unfortunately, he cannot answer that question. It remains up to the jury to determine if Bowers intended to kill.
UPDATE 10:06 a.m.: Jury asks a question
There is a question from the jury. The jury is asking for a clarification of “attempt to kill,” specifically, does Bowers need to have knowledge that a person was there?
The prosecution believes the defendant to have knowledge that a person was there and/or saw a person.
The defense believes that yes, Bowers needs to have knowledge that the person is there.
The prosecution and defense are discussing the issue, citing multiple cases.
The judge is taking a break to consider.
UPDATE 9:18 a.m.: Jury resumes deliberations
The clerk’s office confirms the jury started deliberations at 8:40 a.m.
#BREAKING The jury is still deliberating. We will have LIVE updates as we are on verdict watch. @WPXI https://t.co/KGaTgE7GeA
— Nicole Ford (@NicoleFordTV) June 16, 2023
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The Associated Press contributed to this story
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