Synagogue massacre suspect appears in court; Trump to visit grieving Pittsburgh

TOXIC ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Trump previously drew condemnation from Democrats and Republicans alike for saying that "many sides" were to blame for violence that erupted last year during a "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and during a torch-lit march the night before by hundreds of right-wing demonstrators chanting: "White lives matter" and "Jews will not replace us."

Trump's visit will take place just a week before the hotly contested Nov 6 congressional elections, which will determine if Trump's Republicans keep a majority in Congress. His appearance in Pittsburgh also will coincide with the first funerals for some of the slain worshipers.

Tradition in the Jewish faith holds that the dead are to be buried within 24 hours, but the imperative of medical examinations and the logistical difficulty of planning 11 funerals at once have led to their delays.

Bowers is accused of storming into the Tree of Life temple in Squirrel Hill, a neighborhood that is the heart of Pittsburgh's close-knit Jewish community, yelling: "All Jews must die" as he opened fire on members of three congregations holding Sabbath prayer services there on Saturday morning.

In addition to the 11 mostly elderly worshipers who were killed, six people, including four police officers who confronted the gunman, were wounded before the suspect surrendered. Two of the surviving victims remained hospitalized in critical condition.

"Robert Bowers murdered 11 people who were exercising their religious beliefs," US Attorney Scott Brady said after the arraignment, adding a grand jury would hear details of the crime within 30 days.

TEAM OF SHARPSHOOTERS

Bowers' arraignment was marked by a heavy security presence that included police officers with dogs and a team of sharpshooters at the federal court in Pittsburgh.

Wearing a blue sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, sandals and white socks, with a crewcut and bald spot, Bowers remained expressionless throughout the short hearing.

Bowers said nothing during the proceedings except to give his name, acknowledge he understood the charges against him and that he lacked funds to pay for an attorney. He spoke in a calm voice and signed the papers handed to him with a steady hand.

Only at the end of the hearing when he was wheeled out of the courtroom did Bowers appear unsettled, turning his head in apparent confusion.

According to an affidavit filed in the case by the FBI, three handguns and an AR-15 rifle were recovered at the scene.

The complaint quoted Bowers as saying to one law enforcement officer, in substance: "They're committing genocide to my people. I just want to kill Jews."

He is charged with 11 counts of obstruction of the exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death and 11 counts of using a firearm to commit murder - one count for each worshiper killed. Seven other counts of civil rights and firearms offenses stem from the injury of police officers during the assault.

Reuters