"You are the jury."That's what Judge Robert Colville told the people picked Thursday as the 12 jurors and six alternates for the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial. The 18 have been told to be back at the federal courthouse Tuesday morning for the opening statements in the trial of defendant Robert Bowers.Bowers is charged with the shooting and killing of 11 worshippers from three congregations inside the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill in 2018.Maggie Feinstein, the director of the 10.27 Healing Partnership, was among those observing the court proceedings. She spoke with reporters about the people who spent weeks going being screened as potential jurors."Jurors sense the responsibility of their civic duty and to being the crucial part of the building of a just society. And that was exceptional to watch," Feinstein said. "A lot was asked of them and the unique perspective on crime, punishment and justice that were brought out represent how important it is to have a diverse set of jurors who can evaluate the evidence to arrive at answers."The defendant was active in conferring with his attorneys during the final strikes of potential jurors. The defense challenged some of the strikes by the prosecution, arguing that they removed all four African American potential jurors, the sole Hispanic potential juror and the sole Jewish potential juror. The prosecution then outlined the reasons they were struck, saying they were not related to race, ethnicity or religion. The prosecution said the reasons included their positions on the death penalty, emotional responses during their interviews and – in the case of one potential juror – failing to show up in court on Thursday.There was one potential juror who was allowed to leave early because his pregnant wife was going into induced labor. But the judge told the other jurors that the man will be part of the jury, however, and will be back to join them on Tuesday.Between now and the trial's start Tuesday, the judge will consider motions on how certain graphic and troubling evidence will be handled."The attack on Oct. 27, 2018, is awful, and reliving the details will be extremely difficult for many people. We understand that the community may feel motivated to reach out and support, and we welcome that support," Feinstein said. "I'm here because I'm hearing some broader anxiety in the community, and I want to remind people that it's not your duty to absorb every graphic detail in order to provide support to each other.""It's not your responsibility to bear witness to all of the details, either through what is in the news or by coming to the courthouse. Some will choose to do these things, but for others, if they do that, they may not have the energy to give support to other people. It may drain them of all that energy."Video above: Tree of Life shooting: Some family members want death penaltyShe says the healing partnership has therapists and drop-in counseling available during the trial."It is reasonable for many people to experience trauma related to the legal process. There are many resources across the city, from therapists to healing meditation communities, from houses of worship to community centers. At the 10.27 Healing Partnership, we will continue to offer programs for wellness and for healing, as well as drop-in counseling support five days per week. We welcome you."Colville has ruled that the names of the jurors will be sealed.Bowers is facing a total of 63 counts in federal court, including hate crime charges. The U.S. Department of Justice has said it intends to seek the death penalty.The Oct. 27, 2018, shooting killed 11 Jewish worshippers and injured others, including police, at the Tree of Life — Or L'Simcha Congregation building in Squirrel Hill. Two other congregations, New Light Congregation and Congregation Dor Hadash, were also observing Shabbat services during the attack.
"You are the jury."
That's what Judge Robert Colville told the people picked Thursday as the 12 jurors and six alternates for the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial. The 18 have been told to be back at the federal courthouse Tuesday morning for the opening statements in the trial of defendant Robert Bowers.
Bowers is charged with the shooting and killing of 11 worshippers from three congregations inside the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill in 2018.
Maggie Feinstein, the director of the 10.27 Healing Partnership, was among those observing the court proceedings. She spoke with reporters about the people who spent weeks going being screened as potential jurors.
"Jurors sense the responsibility of their civic duty and to being the crucial part of the building of a just society. And that was exceptional to watch," Feinstein said. "A lot was asked of them and the unique perspective on crime, punishment and justice that were brought out represent how important it is to have a diverse set of jurors who can evaluate the evidence to arrive at answers."
The defendant was active in conferring with his attorneys during the final strikes of potential jurors. The defense challenged some of the strikes by the prosecution, arguing that they removed all four African American potential jurors, the sole Hispanic potential juror and the sole Jewish potential juror.
The prosecution then outlined the reasons they were struck, saying they were not related to race, ethnicity or religion. The prosecution said the reasons included their positions on the death penalty, emotional responses during their interviews and – in the case of one potential juror – failing to show up in court on Thursday.
There was one potential juror who was allowed to leave early because his pregnant wife was going into induced labor. But the judge told the other jurors that the man will be part of the jury, however, and will be back to join them on Tuesday.
Between now and the trial's start Tuesday, the judge will consider motions on how certain graphic and troubling evidence will be handled.
"The attack on Oct. 27, 2018, is awful, and reliving the details will be extremely difficult for many people. We understand that the community may feel motivated to reach out and support, and we welcome that support," Feinstein said. "I'm here because I'm hearing some broader anxiety in the community, and I want to remind people that it's not your duty to absorb every graphic detail in order to provide support to each other."
"It's not your responsibility to bear witness to all of the details, either through what is in the news or by coming to the courthouse. Some will choose to do these things, but for others, if they do that, they may not have the energy to give support to other people. It may drain them of all that energy."
Video above: Tree of Life shooting: Some family members want death penalty
She says the healing partnership has therapists and drop-in counseling available during the trial.
"It is reasonable for many people to experience trauma related to the legal process. There are many resources across the city, from therapists to healing meditation communities, from houses of worship to community centers. At the 10.27 Healing Partnership, we will continue to offer programs for wellness and for healing, as well as drop-in counseling support five days per week. We welcome you."
Colville has ruled that the names of the jurors will be sealed.
Bowers is facing a total of 63 counts in federal court, including hate crime charges. The U.S. Department of Justice has said it intends to seek the death penalty.
The Oct. 27, 2018, shooting killed 11 Jewish worshippers and injured others, including police, at the Tree of Life — Or L'Simcha Congregation building in Squirrel Hill. Two other congregations, New Light Congregation and Congregation Dor Hadash, were also observing Shabbat services during the attack.
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