Doctors give mixed testimony about brain images of Pittsburgh synagogue shooter during trial
The penalty phase continues in the trial against Robert Bowers, the man convicted of killing 11 people inside a Squirrel Hill synagogue in 2018.
PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING TRIAL: FULL COVERAGE ⇒
Jurors must now decide whether the 50-year-old should be sent to death row or sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The defense requested to split it into two elements with the first being the eligibility phase.
The prosecution and defense presented opening arguments Monday, and witnesses, including Diane Rosenthal, sister of victims Cecil and David Rosenthal, provided testimony.
>>> Tree of Life, community react to guilty verdict in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting 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
Testimony
Vijayalakshmi Rajasekaran, MD, a neurology specialist in epilepsy, was the first to take the stand for the defense on Tuesday.
Bowers’ attorneys say he has a history of psychotic episodes and has epilepsy and schizophrenia.
The specialist testified she reviewed Bowers’ EEG, and no seizures were found. But, she said the EEG indicated there was potential for seizures and suggested dysfunction.
Rajasekaran also testified she knew nothing about the case or Bowers.
Dr. Andrew Newberg, a brain imaging expert at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, examined a Pet scan of Robert Bowers’ brain in November of 2021.
He testified via video feed Tuesday that he found substantial abnormalities in the brain that could impact cognitive and emotional responses. He said that could lead to schizophrenia.
Under cross-examination, Prosecutor Eric Olshan questioned Newberg specifically about schizophrenia.
Olshan: There’s no recognized scan for schizophrenia?
Newberg: No.
In an effort to convince the jury that Bowers suffers from a mental illness and should not face the death penalty, the defense continued, calling medical experts who examined images and data of Bowers’ brain and testified they found abnormalities.
But prosecutors disagree, claiming that Bowers knew exactly what he was doing when he planned and carried out the attack at the synagogue.
Dr. Murray Solomon, a neuroradiologist from California, examined the MRI of Bowers’ brain.
Solomon testified via video feed that he found numerous scars on the brain and evidence of permanent brain damage.
“These lesions are everywhere through the brain. It may affect cognition and reasoning,” Solomon testified.
Solomon said he also found an increased white matter that could indicate schizophrenia.
But under cross-examination, Solomon admitted he just learned that from reading a report and a Google search.
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