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Suspect in synagogue shooting pleads not guilty

If convicted, Robert Bowers could face the death penalty.

Robert Bowers
Mug shot of Robert Bowers, the suspect behind the shooting of 11 Jewish worshippers at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27, 2018. Credit: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

The suspect who killed 11 people at the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Synagogue on Saturday pleaded not guilty on Thursday to a 44-count indictment, which was issued against him the previous day.

“Yes!” shouted Robert Bowers, 46, when asked if he understood the charges.

Although the alleged gunman was set for a preliminary hearing on the evidence, federal prosecutors instead took the case to a grand jury.

If convicted, Bowers could face the death penalty.

This development comes as three more of the victims will be laid to rest on Thursday: Richard Gottfried, 65, Sylvan Simon, 86, and Bernice Simon, 84.

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