Jury selection began on Monday, April 24 in USA v. Robert Bowers, the long-delayed trial of the gunman who is accused of killing 11 people at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue On Oct. 27, 2018. It was the deadliest antisemitic attack in United States history. The trial is expected to last three months.

        Court watchers say the sole goal of the alleged shooter’s lead attorney, Judy Clarke, who has previously defended high-profile attackers like the Unabomber and the Boston Marathon bomber, is to avoid the death penalty for her client. Seven of the nine victim families (two families lost more than one relative) support the death penalty in this case.

According to Jewish Telegraphic Agency, some people fear renewed attention on the case could inspire other violent extremists; some hope the trial will help them move past the tragedy, even as they know it will be difficult to year the details of the shooting in court.