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.