FEDERAL COURT SENTENCING OF ROBERT BOWERS CONTINUES

A final round of victim impact statements was heard on Wednesday in federal court as the sentencing phase of the trial of Robert Bowers continued.  WTAE-TV reports that families of the victims in the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting continued to offer testimony.  Also testifying yesterday was Pittsburgh Police Officer Timothy Matson, who was shot in the head by Bowers during the incident.  The Defense also began its presentations, and that included testimony from clinical psychologist Dr. Katherine Porterfield who said that Bowers had several traumatic events that left him at risk for mental illness.  The defense’s testimony will continue today.  After the defense is finished, the Jury will decide if Bowers should spend life in prison or be put to death.