Death Penalty
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks from the Oval Office of the White House, July 24, 2024. He commutated the sentence of 37 death row inmates but not the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter's. (Evan Vucci-Pool/Getty Images)
January 8, 2025, 9:56 am
Biden’s commutation message: Some lives are worth more than others
Our community is not monolithic on this issue.
By Marshall Dayan
Members of the media stand outside of the federal courthouse on Grant Street, Downtown, Monday, April 24, 2023, ahead of the start of the federal death penalty trial for the man accused of killing 11 worshippers from three congregations at the Tree of Life synagogue building in 2018. (Alexandra Wimley/Union Progress)
December 23, 2024, 11:00 am
Biden commutes death sentences of 37 federal prisoners
But not the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter
By David Rullo
United States Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana (Photo in pubic domain via Wikimedia Commons)
August 14, 2023, 4:55 pm
Pittsburgh synagogue shooter faces harsh conditions on federal death row
In 2008, the ACLU sent a letter to the Federal Bureau of Prisons calling conditions in Terre Haute’s Special Confinement Unit “grossly inadequate.”
By David Rullo
August 10, 2023, 11:57 am
Chronicle poll results: Death penalty for synagogue shooter
We asked our readers if they agreed that the synagogue shooter should have received the death penalty. Here's what they said.
By Toby Tabachnick
A view of the Tree of Life synagogue, which housed three congregations, New Light, Dor Hadash and Tree of Life, photographed Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Squirrel Hill. (Alexandra Wimley/Union Progress)
August 3, 2023, 5:03 pm
After final day of victim testimony, synagogue killer formally sentenced to death
The defendant had the right to address the court but said nothing.
By Torsten Ove
Decorative windscreens made from student art submitted to the campaign "#HeartsTogether: The Art of Rebuilding" and wood hearts adorn a fence around the Tree of Life synagogue, which housed three congregations, New Light, Dor Hadash and Tree of Life, photographed Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Squirrel Hill. (Alexandra Wimley/Union Progress)
August 2, 2023, 1:46 pm
Pittsburgh synagogue shooter to be sentenced to death
Jury delivers verdict of death on all capital counts
By David Rullo and Adam Reinherz
A view of the Tree of Life synagogue, which housed three congregations, New Light, Dor Hadash and Tree of Life, photographed Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Squirrel Hill. (Alexandra Wimley/Union Progress)
August 1, 2023, 8:22 pm
Life or death? Jury begins deliberating over synagogue shooter’s fate
The defendant is only the fourth person in the history of the Western District of Pennsylvania to face the death penalty. None of the others received a death sentence.
By Torsten Ove
A view of the Joseph F. Weis, Jr. U.S. Courthouse, Downtown, photographed Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. (Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
July 31, 2023, 7:48 pm
Lawyers deliver final arguments in synagogue shooting trial
Jury to deliberate Tuesday
By Torsten Ove
Members of the media stand outside of the federal courthouse on Grant Street, Downtown, Monday, April 24, 2023, ahead of the start of the federal death penalty trial for the man accused of killing 11 worshippers from three congregations at the Tree of Life synagogue building in 2018. (Alexandra Wimley/Union Progress)
July 28, 2023, 2:56 pm
Synagogue killer’s relatives take stand in bid to save him from the death penalty
Uncle says he was a loner and enjoyed eating at the Golden Corral
By David Rullo
A view of the Joseph F. Weis, Jr. U.S. Courthouse, Downtown, photographed Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. (Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
July 27, 2023, 5:54 pm
Synagogue shooter would likely be kept in supermax facility if sentenced to life in prison, witnesses say
At ADX, prisoners have access to TVs, and can do arts and crafts and watch movies. They have access to leisure programs like art, trivia and essay contests.
By Abigail Hakas
Photo of the Joseph F. Weis. Jr. U.S. Courthouse on July 26, 2023 by Adam Reinherz
July 26, 2023, 10:23 pm
Witnesses testify about synagogue shooter’s behavior and prison conditions
Defendant's actions, hours of isolation and supermax facility discussed
By Adam Reinherz
A view of the Joseph F. Weis, Jr. U.S. Courthouse, Downtown, photographed Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. (Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
July 26, 2023, 5:37 pm
Judge rejects defense request to exhume body of synagogue shooter’s father
The judge sided with the government in denying the request, agreeing with prosecutors that the defense could have raised the issue of paternity much earlier and chose not to.
By Torsten Ove
Members of the media stand outside of the federal courthouse on Grant Street, Downtown, Monday, April 24, 2023, ahead of the start of the federal death penalty trial for the man accused of killing 11 worshippers from three congregations at the Tree of Life synagogue building in 2018. (Alexandra Wimley/Union Progress)
July 26, 2023, 8:19 am
Defense witnesses testify about life and employment of Pittsburgh synagogue shooter
As a teen, he was known among his peers for crafting explosives and blowing things up, witness says
By Delaney Parks
A flag flies across the street from the Joseph F. Weis, Jr. U.S. Courthouse on July 13. (Photo by Adam Reinherz)
July 25, 2023, 1:22 pm
Synagogue shooter’s lawyers ask to exhume presumed father’s corpse to prove paternity
The shooter's mother has said she is not sure who his father is.
By Torsten Ove
A view of the Joseph F. Weis, Jr. U.S. Courthouse, Downtown, photographed Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. (Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
July 25, 2023, 8:22 am
More defense witnesses testify to synagogue shooter’s chaotic childhood
Defendant's psychiatric care discussed
By Torsten Ove
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