Attorneys for accused Tree of Life gunman accuse FBI of meddling in case

Defense attorneys for accused the Tree of Life gunman Robert Bowers have alleged the FBI is discouraging witnesses from speaking with the defense, according to court documents filed Wednesday in the case.

The attorneys have asked the judge in the case to order the government and federal agents to “cease any such communication” and turn over any communications from the FBI or other law enforcement agencies regarding meeting with the defense.

The documents did not indicate who the witnesses were. U.S. District Judge Donetta Ambrose granted a request by the defense to file a sealed motion describing in detail the accused meddling of the FBI.

Ambrose ordered the prosecution to respond by June 7.

The defense attorneys wrote they weren’t aware of the exact language used by the FBI but had learned that at least one potential witness who wanted to talk to the defense “suddenly ceased communication after being advised by the FBI against meeting with the defense,” according to the court documents.

This particular witness, attorneys said, exchanged multiple emails over multiple weeks with a member of Bowers’ defense team, which includes federal public defenders Michael Novara and Elisa Long, plus high-profile defense attorney Judy Clarke. Those emails included arrangements to meet, including a specific time and place, according to the court filing. The witness canceled the day before the meeting, “explaining that the FBI advised against the meeting.”

Attorneys said they reached out to other potential witnesses and found they similar messages from the FBI, according to the filing.

Bowers faces a 51-count federal indictment as the alleged shooter in the Oct. 27 attack on the Squirrel Hill synagogue. Eleven worshippers across three congregations were killed. Two congregants and five police officers were wounded.