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.
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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.
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.
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