The decision by federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for the man accused of killing 11 worshipers inside a Pittsburgh synagogue was made despite opposition from some of the people most affected by the massacre.
The filing made this week by the U.S. attorney’s office in Pittsburgh disappointed Dor Hadash, one of three congregations assembled for worship inside the building where an armed man opened fire last year.
Among the victims was Dor Hadash member Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz, a family physician who was known to be opposed to the death penalty.
The Dor Hadash statement said a possible deal for life without parole for the shooter, Robert Bowers, would honor what they called Rabinowitz’s firm and unequivocal position against the death penalty.
“It would have prevented the attacker from getting the attention and publicity that will inevitably come with a trial, and eliminated any possibility of further trauma that could result from a trial and protracted appeals,” the Dor Hadash statement read.
FILE – This undated Pennsylvania Department of Transportation photo shows Robert Bowers. Bowers is charged with killing 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue. The U.S. attorney’s office in Pittsburgh filed a notice of intent Monday, Aug. 26, 2019 to seek the death penalty against Bowers in last year’s attack. (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation via AP, File)A spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Scott Brady, whose office is prosecuting Bowers, declined to comment on its decision or the death penalty- related letters from Dor Hadash and members of New Light Congregation, which had three members slain in the attack.
New Light Rabbi Jonathan Perlman wrote to Attorney General William Barr early this month after learning a decision on the death penalty would soon be made.
“Execution has become an outmoded kind of punishment. Like slavery, this is something that belongs to another time and another place,” Perlman said in a phone interview Tuesday. “I can’t think of any worse punishment for a criminal than to spend the rest of his life in a maximum- security prison without parole.”
Perlman said he has a faith-based opposition to the death penalty and concern about the impact a trial might have on his congregants.
“What’s most important is to protect families and the victims that just do not want to go into a tailspin of depression and trauma and anxiety when this horror show comes to town,” Perlman said.
The third congregation, Tree of Life, where seven members were slain, said it was not putting out a statement on the death penalty decision, adding: “We have confidence that justice will be served.”