Stars of David with the names of those killed in a deadly shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue stand in front of the synagogue in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018.
Matt Rourke / AP Photo
Lawyers fight death penalty for synagogue shooting suspect
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The Associated Press
Matt Rourke / AP Photo
Stars of David with the names of those killed in a deadly shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue stand in front of the synagogue in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018.
(Pittsburgh) — Lawyers for the suspect in the synagogue shooting that killed 11 people in Pittsburgh are challenging the potential death penalty as unconstitutional.
Robert Bowers’ lawyers say in court papers this week that capital punishment violates the Fifth Amendment’s due process clause and the Eight Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
Defense lawyer Judy Clarke has made similar arguments in other high-profile capital cases.
Clarke says she’s tried to negotiate a life-in-prison sentence for Bowers but has been rebuffed by prosecutors.
No trial date has been set.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
