Attorneys for accused synagogue gunman Robert Bowers seek more time for evidence

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.