Tree of Life synagogue shooting suspect won't pursue insanity or intellectual disability defense
The man accused of killing 11 people at a synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill will not pursue an insanity defense, his attorneys said this week.
Robert Bowers also will not raise an intellectual disability claim when he goes on trial for the Oct. 27, 2018, mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue building.
Documents filed in federal court show Bowers has been granted additional time to determine if his attorneys will pursue expert testimony related to any other mental condition.
“The defense has made substantial progress in both its field work relating to Mr. Bowers’ life history as well as its mental health expert work,” the defense wrote. “However, despite good-faith, sustained efforts, counsel do not yet have sufficient information to make an informed and competent decision regarding notice under this subsection of the rule.”
The defense said it has encountered “unavoidable and unanticipated delays” in obtaining the necessary information.
Senior U.S. District Judge Donetta Ambrose originally set a deadline of Nov. 15 for the defense to file notice related to any mental health defenses. On Friday, over the federal government’s objection, she granted the defense motion seeking an extension. She gave Bowers until Jan. 31 — two months less than his attorneys had requested.
In response, the prosecution said Thursday that the defense has already delayed the case enough.
“At this late date in the proceedings, a full three years since the defendant’s horrific crimes, the delays must cease,” the prosecution wrote.
The government said delays cause “grave prejudice” to the prosecution and “grievously impact” the victims.
“Victim survivors and families of deceased victims continue to yearn for justice, resolution, closure, and the statutorily assured ‘proceedings free from unreasonable delay,” the prosecution wrote.
Bowers has offered to plead guilty in exchange for a sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole, and leaders of Dor Hadash and New Light Congregation, two of the three Jewish congregations that worshipped in the Tree of Life building, have both asked the attorney general to reach such a plea deal with Bowers. Members of the Tree of Life congregation have not spoken publicly about it.
The government has rejected those offers.
No trial date has been set in the case.
Paula Reed Ward is a TribLive reporter covering federal and Allegheny County courts. She joined the Trib in 2020 after spending nearly 17 years at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, where she was part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team. She is the author of "Death by Cyanide." She can be reached at pward@triblive.com.
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