Pittsburgh Shooting Suspect Pleads Not Guilty to Charges That Could Put Him on Death Row
Robert Bowers has been arraigned just one day after a federal grand jury increased his charges from 29 to 44 counts
The anti-Semitic truck driver accused of gunning down 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue has pleaded not guilty to federal charges that could put him on death row.
Robert Bowers was arraigned Thursday, one day after a grand jury issued a 44-count indictment that charges him with murder, hate crimes, obstructing the practice of religion and other crimes. He is also charged with injuring four police officers, some during a gunfight before his arrest.
>>While Trump is president, violence against Jews will keep rising. We must prepare accordingly | Opinion ■ Trump, the Jews and anti-Semitism: A dangerous double game | Explained ■ Why I call the Pittsburgh massacre a pogrom, and Trump a czar | Opinion
This was his second brief appearance in a federal courtroom since the weekend massacre at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
Authorities say the 46-year-old Bowers raged against Jews during and after the rampage. It was the deadliest attack on Jews in American history.
- Three More Pittsburgh Funerals Held as Trump Calls Protests 'Fake News'
- Trump Slams Protests as 'Staged' and 'Fake News' After Pittsburgh Visit
- Thousands of U.S. Jews Deliver Defiant Message at Pittsburgh Protest
Funerals for the victims are being held all week.
Bowers had been set for a preliminary hearing on the evidence Thursday, but federal prosecutors instead took the case to a grand jury.