The judge overseeing the federal trial of the gunman behind the Oct. 27, 2018 shooting at the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Synagogue in Pittsburgh declined at a conference pre-trial meeting on Thursday to set a date for the capital trial.
Judge Donetta Ambrose said she will only select a trial date once all of the lawyers’ motions are resolved.
She also assured not to pick a day that coincides with the Jewish High Holidays, in response to letter sent from Dor Hadash, one of three congregations holding services that Shabbat morning at the synagogue when Robert Bowers entered, and shot and killed 11 Jewish worshippers.
Bowers waived his right to appear at the pre-trial meeting.
With the Jewish holidays, the two-year anniversary next fall and the U.S. presidential election in November 2020, a trial might not begin until early 2021.
