The man accused of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre appeared briefly in federal court in a wheelchair and handcuffs yesterday, to face charges he killed 11 people in what is believed t
Maryclare Dale, Claudia Lauer and Allen G Breen
October 30 2018 2:30 AM
The man accused of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre appeared briefly in federal court in a wheelchair and handcuffs yesterday, to face charges he killed 11 people in what is believed to be the deadliest attack on Jews in US history.
Robert Gregory Bowers, who was wounded in a gun battle with police during the rampage, was released from hospital in the morning and a few hours later was wheeled into the courtroom. He was ordered to be held without bail for a preliminary hearing on Thursday, when prosecutors will outline their case against him.
During the court appearance, Bowers talked with two court-appointed lawyers, went over documents and confirmed his identity to a judge, saying little more than « Yes » in a soft voice a few times. Courtroom deputies freed one of his hands from cuffs so he could sign paperwork. He did not enter a plea.
He remained expressionless.
« It was not the face of villainy that I thought we’d see, » said Jon Pushinsky, a congregant at Dor Hadash, which lost one of its members to the massacre. Mr Pushinsky was one of two Dor Hadash congregants at the hearing.
Federal prosecutors set in motion plans to seek the death penalty against the 46-year-old truck driver, who authorities say expressed hatred of Jews during his attack and later told police, « I just want to kill Jews » and « All these Jews need to die ».
After the hearing, US Attorney Scott Brady called the shootings « horrific acts of violence » and added: « Rest assured we have a team of prosecutors working hard to ensure that justice is done. »
The first funeral – for Cecil Rosenthal and his younger brother, David – was set for today.
Survivors, meanwhile, started giving harrowing accounts of the mass shooting on Saturday inside Tree of Life Synagogue.
Barry Werber (76) said he found himself hiding in a dark storage closet as the gunman tore through the building.
« I don’t know why he thinks the Jews are responsible for all the ills in the world, but he’s not the first and he won’t be the last, » Mr Werber said. « Unfortunately, that’s our burden to bear. It breaks my heart. »
The White House announced President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will visit Pennsylvania today « to express the support of the American people and to grieve with the Pittsburgh community ».
The response to Mr Trump’s plans has been mixed.
Leaders of a liberal Jewish group in Pittsburgh wrote an open letter to the president saying he was not welcome until he denounced white nationalism. But Jeffrey Myers, rabbi with the Tree of Life synagogue, told NB:, « It would be my honour to always meet a president of the United States. »
The massacre – which took place 10 days before the midterm elections – heightened tensions around the country, coming just a day after the arrest of the Florida man accused of sending a wave of pipe bombs to Trump critics.
The mail bomb attacks and the bloodshed in Pittsburgh set off debate over whether the corrosive political climate in Washington and beyond contributed to the violence and whether Mr Trump himself bears any blame because of his combative language.
Mr Werber noted the president has embraced the politically fraught label of « nationalist », adding the Nazis were nationalists.
« It’s part of his programme to instigate his base, » Mr Werber said, and « bigots are coming out of the woodwork ».
Bowers killed eight men and three women before a police tactical team shot him.
He was charged with obstructing the exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death – a hate crime – and using a gun to commit murder, criminal homicide, aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation.
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