"Tree of Life trial begins amidst rising antisemitism in Pennsylvania"

Jury selection has begun in the federal death penalty trial of Robert G. Bowers, a truck driver accused of shooting to death 11 Jewish worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018. Bowers faces 63 counts, including 11 counts of obstruction of free exercise of religion resulting in death and 11 counts of hate crimes resulting in death. He could get the death sentence if convicted. Bowers offered to plead guilty in return for a life sentence, but federal prosecutors turned him down. The families of those killed were divided over whether the government should pursue the death penalty, but most were in favor.