PITTSBURGH — Accused synagogue shooter Robert Bowers made his first appearance in court Monday, looking sullen and muttering to himself — as prosecutors pledged they’d bring him to justice.
Bowers is accused of shooting up the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday, killing 11 people before he was shot by SWAT members and taken into custody. He now faces 29 federal counts including 11 murder charges.
He was discharged from Allegheny General Hospital Monday morning and rolled into court in a wheelchair, wearing blue and gray sweats. Bowers muttered to himself, but said little publicly except to acknowledge questions from Judge Robert Mitchell.
The court granted the long-haul trucker permission to use a public defender but remanded him to jail.
Prosecutors, who are seeking the death penalty, will present evidence against him at a hearing Thursday, officials said.
“Rest assured we have a team of prosecutors to make sure justice is done,” US Attorney Scott Brady said following Monday’s hearing.
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