Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial to begin final phase with testimony from family members
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Jurors will return to the courtroom this morning as the final phase of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial is set to get underway.
On Thursday, the jury determined that the convicted gunman Robert Bowers is indeed eligible for the death penalty.
In this final phase of the trial, the jury will begin hearing testimony from family members. In approximately two to three weeks, the jury will be called to decide whether he will be sentenced to life in prison or if he will be sentenced to death.
In finding that he is eligible for the death penalty, the jury agreed with the government that Bowers acted out of ethnic hatred rather than mental illness and delusion when he shot and killed 11 worshippers from three different congregations, Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light on Oct. 27, 2018. It was the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. Last month, Bowers was found guilty of all 63 federal charges in the attack.
The three synagogue congregations are divided on whether the death penalty should be imposed as are some of the victims families. But Jewish leaders said all are thankful for the jury’s decision and look forward to testifying about the impact of the attack in the final sentencing phase of the trial.
Recapping the eligibility phase of the trial
During the eligibility portion of the penalty phase, Forensic psychiatrist Park Dietz testified that Bowers was not schizophrenic and not driven by mental illness when he murdered 11 innocent victims in October 2018.
Dr. Deitz began his testimony saying the suspect knowingly and willingly killed those 11 people.
Earlier testimony in the penalty phase consisted of medical experts being called to the stand surrounding the gunman’s diagnoses of epilepsy and schizophrenia, while prosecutors challenged those diagnoses.
Other testimony included psychiatric reports, examination notes, and IQ analysis all surrounding the mental state of the accused gunman.
Support is available for those in need during the trial
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health effects from the trial, go to 1027healingpartnership.org to find help resources. As always, call 911 to report threats.
Phone: 412-697-3534
Email: info@1027HealingPartnership.org
Website: 1027healingpartnership.org
More resources can be found here.
Pittsburg, PA
Allegheny County Fire Marshal investigating deadly house fire in Homestead
HOMESTEAD, Pa. (KDKA) — One man has died after a house caught fire in Homestead on Saturday.
Allegheny County 911 was notified of a fire in the 100 block of West 12th Avenue just before 11:30 a.m.
First responders found an elderly man trapped inside the second floor of the residence. Firefighters were able to get the man out of the home, and he was transported to an area hospital, where he later died, according to a news release from the Allegheny County Police Department.
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause and origin of the fire.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the County Police Tip Line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
Pittsburg, PA
Analyst Blasts Steelers’ Mike Tomlin After Browns Loss
The Pittsburgh Steelers let their guard down in Week 12, dropping a divisional trap game to the now 3-8 Cleveland Browns in the snow.
The Steelers had no business losing to Cleveland, at least on paper, and there’s plenty of finger-pointing to go around. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo chose to shift the blame onto head coach Mike Tomlin during an interview with 93.7 The Fan’s Donny Chedrick on Friday morning, stating that his decisions didn’t age well as the contest went on.
“I think hands down, it was the coaching,” Fittipaldo said. “And I’m sure we’re gonna get into some of the personnel decisions and some of those fourth down calls, but I thought overall Mike Tomlin showed the Browns a lack of disrespect early in the game.”
Cleveland’s final drive of the night alone encapsulated what was a subpar night for Tomlin. On 3rd-and-2 from the Steelers’ 25-yard line, he decided to accept an illegal touching penalty on offensive lineman Ethan Pocic that pushed the Browns back five yards for a redo instead of making it 4th-and-2.
Despite the fact that Pittsburgh was in front 19-17 at the time, all indications pointed to Cleveland keeping its offense on the field instead of sending out the kicking unit given the weather. Had Tomlin declined the penalty, a stop on fourth down would have all but sealed a win.
Instead, Jameis Winston found Jerry Jeudy for a 15-yard completion and a first down. Tomlin also burned his second timeout with the clock stopped before the Browns moved the chains, which put Pittsburgh’s offense in a disadvantageous position on its ill-fated closing possession.
Nick Chubb went on to punch the ball into the end zone, putting Cleveland up for good with 57 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Tomlin is an irreplacable part of the Steelers’ organization and is the driving force behind their success year in and year out, but Thursday night was a definite low point for him.
Pittsburgh still sits atop the AFC North with an 8-3 record, however, and can wash away any bad feelings emanating from the loss with a bounce back performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13.
Make sure to bookmark Steelers On SI to get all your daily Pittsburgh Steelers news, interviews, breakdowns and more!
Pittsburg, PA
2 men charged in road rage incident in Pittsburgh’s South Side
Two men are facing charges after a road rage incident on Pittsburgh’s South Side.
Police say their actions could have led to “grave” consequences.
The incident started at a red light at the intersection of East Carson and S. 21st Streets just before noon, on Wednesday.
Pittsburgh Police say two vehicles, a GMC and an Acura, were stopped at the light when the GMC made a lane change in front of the other car. The GMC driver and passenger allegedly thought the other driver had given them the go-ahead.
According to police, the driver of the Acura, Andrew Potter, then yelled and followed the GMC. Both vehicles stopped at the Coen gas station along S. 25 Street.
Police say surveillance video shows two men get out of the GMC. One of them, Joseph Brandt, is then seen grabbing a wrench, breaking a window on the Acura and hitting Potter in the face.
Both cars then traveled to a dead end on S. 25th Street. That’s where police say Potter’s Acura rammed the GMC.
Channel 11 spoke to customers at the Coen station who were glad no bystanders were hurt.
“If you can’t control your road rage, please don’t get on the road at all. It’s very dangerous,” one person said.
“It could’ve been worse,” said another.
Police say all three men involved suffered various injuries including a concussion, chipped tooth and broken wrist.
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