Federal prosecutors are lobbying for Robert Bowers to receive the death penalty for allegedly shooting and killing 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.
The New York Times reports that United States Attorney Scott Brady has started the process to obtain approval from Attorney General Jeff Sessions to seek a death penalty sentence for Bowers. Sessions said on Oct. 27 that the death penalty could be a possibility for Bowers.
“These alleged crimes are reprehensible and utterly repugnant to the values of this nation,” Sessions said. “Accordingly, the Department of Justice will file hate crimes and other criminal charges against the defendant, including charges that could lead to the death penalty.”
Bowers appeared in court on Monday, where he was ordered to be held without bail. His next hearing is scheduled for Thursday. The alleged gunman faces 29 federal charges over the shooting.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victim’s families and with the community,” Brady told reporters. “And rest assured, we have a team of prosecutors working hard to ensure that justice is done.”
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