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Thread: Robert Gregory Bowers - Federal Death Row

  1. #31
    Senior Member Frequent Poster Ted's Avatar
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    The absolute state of defence attorneys
    Violence and death seem to be the only answers that some people understand.

  2. #32
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
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    Hate-crime charges added against accused synagogue gunman Robert Bowers

    By Megan Guza
    Tribune-Review

    A federal grand jury has added 13 hate-crime charges to the indictment against Robert Bowers, accused gunman in the Oct. 27 mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill.

    Bowers, 46, of Baldwin Borough, originally faced 44 federal charges in the anti-Semitic attack that left 11 congregants dead and two others injured. Four Pittsburgh police officers were also shot and wounded in the gun battle with Bowers.

    The new indictment, returned Tuesday, adds 19 new charges: 11 counts of hate crimes leading to death, two counts of hate crimes leading to injury and six corresponding firearms charges.

    Bowers now faces 63 federal charges, 22 of which are punishable by death.

    The indictment also includes reference to the website gab.com on which Bowers allegedly made statements against the Hebrew Immigrant Aide Society and its activities – specifically, its list of Jewish congregations hosting refugee-related events.

    “Why hello there HIAS!” Bowers allegedly wrote online Oct. 10. “You like to bring in hostile invaders to dwell among us? We appreciate the list of friends you have provided.”

    Dor Hadash, one of three congregations housed in the Tree of Life synagogue, was on that list. The congregations New Light and Tree of Life - Or L’Simcha also met in the synagogue.

    According to the indictment, Bowers posted the following statement shortly before he began his shooting Oct. 27: “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.”

    The indictment also alleges Bowers made statements about his desire to “kill Jews” and had previously written on Gab that “Jews are the children of Satan.”

    Bowers was allegedly armed with three handguns and an AR-15 when he approached the synagogue about 9:45 a.m., shot out the building’s large front window and then went inside and opened fire, according to the indictment.

    All told, the superseding indictment includes the following federal charges:

    • 11 counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death;

    • 11 counts of hate crimes resulting in death;

    • Two counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs involving an attempt to kill and use of a dangerous weapon and resulting in bodily injury;

    • Two counts of hate crimes involving an attempt to kill;

    • Eight counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs involving an attempt to kill and use of a dangerous weapon, and resulting in bodily injury to public safety officers;

    • Four counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs involving use of a dangerous weapon and resulting in bodily injury to public safety officers;

    • 25 counts of discharge of a firearm during these crimes of violence.

    https://triblive.com/local/allegheny...-robert-bowers
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  3. #33
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
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    Shooting suspect pleads not guilty

    PITTSBURGH — The suspect in the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre pleaded not guilty to dozens of charges Monday as his new lawyer, a prominent death penalty litigator who represented one of the Boston Marathon bombers, signaled he might be open to a plea deal.

    Robert Bowers, a truck driver who authorities say gunned down 11 people at Tree of Life Synagogue, appeared in federal court with attorney Judy Clarke, who expressed hope the case will be resolved without a trial.

    Clarke is known for negotiating plea deals that helped some of the nation’s most infamous killers avoid death row, including Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, Atlanta Olympics bomber Eric Rudolph and Arizona shooter Jared Lee Loughner, who killed six people and injured 13 others, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

    Prosecutors in Pittsburgh have yet to announce whether they will pursue the death penalty against Bowers. Asked if the government would consider a plea deal that spares Bowers a potential death sentence, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said in a statement Monday: “The defendant is charged with crimes that carry the maximum possible penalty of death. We are committed to seeking justice for the victims and their families in this case.”

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti said in court that a trial could last about three weeks, not including any potential penalty phase.

    Bowers, who was shackled, said little, giving yes or no answers.

    A grand jury on Jan. 29 added 19 counts to the 44 Bowers was already facing. The additional charges include hate crimes violations, obstruction of religious belief and the use of a firearm during crimes of violence.

    Bowers, 46, of Baldwin, is accused of targeting worshippers from three Jewish congregations when he attacked Saturday, Oct. 27, during Sabbath services.

    http://www.altoonamirror.com/uncateg...-not-guilty-3/
    An uninformed opponent is a dangerous opponent.

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  4. #34
    Moderator Ryan's Avatar
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    Is the state seeking the death penalty for Bowers if a plea deal by Federal prosecutors is accepted? The state would be a quicker method to execution if there is a pro governor and no moratorium in place.
    "How do you get drunk on death row?" - Werner Herzog

    "When we get fruit, we get the juice and water. I ferment for a week! It tastes like chalk, it's nasty" - Blaine Keith Milam #999558 Texas Death Row

  5. #35
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
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    Lawyers for accused Tree of Life shooter seek plea deal

    Lawyers for accused synagogue shooter Robert Bowers said Thursday they are seeking a plea deal that will spare their client the death penalty.

    Judy Clarke, one of the lawyers, told U.S. District Judge Donetta Ambrose at a routine conference that the defense team is seeking a plea.

    The move is not unexpected.

    Prosecutors said that the Justice Department is still reviewing the case for death penalty approval.

    Mr. Bowers is accused of gunning down 11 parishioners at Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill on Oct. 27. About a third of the 63 federal crimes of which he is charged carry the death penalty.

    Mr. Bowers didn't appear at the meeting.

    The judge set another conference for Aug. 5.

    https://www.post-gazette.com/news/cr...s/201905230100
    An uninformed opponent is a dangerous opponent.

    "Y'all be makin shit up" ~ Markeith Loyd

  6. #36
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
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    Lawyers for Pittsburgh synagogue massacre suspect allege FBI meddling

    Robert Bowers, accused of killing 11 and facing 63-count indictment, claims law enforcement is undermining his rights by urging people not to testify on his behalf

    By Michael Rubinkam
    The Associated Press

    Lawyers for the man accused of killing 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue say the FBI has been discouraging witnesses from talking to the defense, undermining the suspect’s right to a fair trial.

    Robert Bowers’ lawyers said in court documents that at least one witness got in touch with the defense — exchanging multiple emails over several weeks — but abruptly canceled a planned meeting after the FBI frowned on it.

    The defense said the FBI delivered the same message to other witnesses.

    “The FBI may have included some … acknowledgment of the witnesses’ right to talk to the defense, while at the same time ensuring that no witness would actually exercise that right by conveying the misleading message that doing so could compromise the government’s case,” Bowers’ lawyers wrote.

    The defense asked a judge to tell the FBI to stop its “improper interference” in the case. Defense lawyers are also demanding that the government turn over any documents that concern witnesses’ potential communication with the defense, and a list of witnesses with whom the FBI has spoken about talking to Bowers’ lawyers.

    “It is well-established that witnesses belong neither to the defense nor to the prosecution and that both parties must have equal access to witnesses before trial,” defense lawyers wrote.

    US Senior District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose on Thursday ordered federal prosecutors to respond to the defense allegation by next week. The US attorney’s office declined to comment.

    Bowers opened fire with an AR-15 rifle and other weapons during worship services inside Tree of Life synagogue, killing eight men and three women before a tactical police team tracked him down and shot him, according to state and federal affidavits.

    He expressed hatred of Jews during the October 27 rampage and later told police that “all these Jews need to die,” authorities said. It was the deadliest attack on Jews in US history.

    Bowers, who faces a 63-count indictment that charges him with hate crimes, obstructing religious belief and using a firearm during crimes of violence, has pleaded not guilty.

    The defense filing did not name the witnesses whom the FBI allegedly instructed not to speak with Bowers’ lawyers. The defense plans to file a separate document under seal that will provide more specifics about the allegation.

    Bowers’ lawyers identified “potential victim impact witnesses” as being among the witnesses whom the FBI might have discouraged from talking to the defense. They noted that Department of Justice protocol is to seek the views of the victims’ family on a potential death penalty prosecution. Prosecutors have not made a final decision on whether to seek capital punishment.

    https://www.timesofisrael.com/lawyer...-fbi-meddling/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  7. #37
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
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    Attorneys for accused synagogue gunman Robert Bowers seek more time for evidence

    By Megan Guza
    Trib Live

    A status conference Monday for accused synagogue shooter Robert Bowers yielded little more than an extension for both sides to trade evidence and file pre-trial motions.

    Bowers, 46, wasn’t at the hearing, which lasted about five minutes.

    The deadline for pre-trial motions was Thursday, but U.S. District Judge Donetta Ambrose indicated she would approve a motion filed by the defense seeking to extend that deadline by four months.

    Federal prosecutor Soo C. Song said the discovery process is ongoing. Discovery is the collection and exchange of evidence between the prosecution and defense attorneys.

    No date for the next status conference has been set, though Ambrose said it will be sometime shortly before the new deadline, Dec. 15. Attorneys for both sides are waiting to see if the Department of Justice will seek the death penalty.

    Bowers faces 63 federal charges, 22 of which are punishable by death, in connection with his alleged rampage that left 11 worshippers dead in the Tree of Life synagogue last year. His lead attorney, judy Clarke, has said previously she hopes to resolve the case with a plea deal.

    https://triblive.com/local/pittsburg...-for-evidence/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  8. #38
    Moderator Ryan's Avatar
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    2 Congregations Want Synagogue Killer To Serve Life, Avoid Death Penalty

    PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – They don’t want a trial or an execution. In letters to U.S. Attorney General William Barr, they won’t even dignify the accused killer by name.

    But two of the three congregations who worshipped at Tree of Life want Robert Bowers to be put away for life without parole and never heard from again.

    “Let him stew for as long as he lives. That is suitable punishment,” said Stephen Cohen of the New Light Congregation.

    U.S. Attorney W. Scott Brady is seeking the death penalty, charging Bowers with obstruction of an exercise of religious belief resulting in death — a hate crime which could merit execution under the federal system.

    But defense attorney Judy Clarke has offered a guilty plea in exchange for life for Bowers.

    https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019...death-penalty/
    "How do you get drunk on death row?" - Werner Herzog

    "When we get fruit, we get the juice and water. I ferment for a week! It tastes like chalk, it's nasty" - Blaine Keith Milam #999558 Texas Death Row

  9. #39
    Senior Member Frequent Poster NanduDas's Avatar
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    But defense attorney Judy Clarke has offered a guilty plea in exchange for life for Bowers.
    If the evidence of guilt is as strong as it is here and the scum is trying to strike a deal for life, then the prosecutors should be even more motivated to go for death.
    "The pacifist is as surely a traitor to his country and to humanity as is the most brutal wrongdoer." -Theodore Roosevelt

  10. #40
    Carlos
    Guest
    I don't believe that he will get the death penalty since to me this guy appears to be insane. However juries in western PA are generally more conservative than the eastern part so he may get it.
    -------
    11 murders plus a political motivation, the callous statements and complete indifference to the destruction he has caused, I honestly find it unlikely he will NOT get the death penalty, the only scenario I can see him not getting the death penalty is a person who lies when asked if they're open to the death penalty (i.e. a 'plant' if you will), there really is no mitigating evidence in this case, and even if some is sculpted up from the ground the sheer number of murders will put it into insignificance. Also, being fervent in a political ideology is not 'insanity', I'd say he is eccentric but that does not necessarily mean incoherence, his association with the alt-right online movement shows his well-defined beliefs, he is most certainly not aimless in this attack.

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