Amid Pittsburgh funerals, synagogue suspect pleads not guilty

PITTSBURGH (Reuters): The man accused of fatally shooting 11 worshippers in a Pittsburgh synagogue during Sabbath prayers pleaded not guilty on Thursday to federal hate crimes charges and other offences as the city’s Jewish community buried three more of its dead.

Robert Bowers, 46, who had been wounded in a gunfight with police and made his initial court appearance on Monday shackled to a wheelchair, walked into Thursday’s proceeding upright and without need of assistance, wearing a red jumpsuit and a bandage on his left arm.

He spoke little, other than to say he understood the charges and that some of them could lead to the death penalty, then entered a plea of not guilty to all 44 counts against him. He also requested a jury trial.

He appeared sure of foot and exuded a demeanour of confidence, answering questions put to him by US District Judge Robert Mitchell in a clear voice and signing papers with a steady hand.

The indictment returned against him on Wednesday includes 11 counts of obstructing free exercise of religion resulting in death, and 11 counts of using a firearm to commit murder.

A onetime truck driver who frequently posted anti-Semitic slurs and conspiracy theories online, Bowers is accused of bursting into the Tree of Life synagogue last Saturday with a semi-automatic rifle and three pistols and opening fire in the midst of Sabbath prayers as he shouted “All Jews must die.”

In addition to the mostly elderly congregants who died, two were wounded, along with four police officers, before the suspect was shot by police and surrendered.

It marked the deadliest attack ever on American Jewry. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty.