Poway Shooter May Receive Death Penalty

On April 27^th of 2019, the last day of the Jewish Passover Holiday, history was made when a gunman entered Chabad of Poway synagogue in Poway, California. With roughly one hundred people in the synagogue that day, the gunman shot and killed 60-year-old, Lori Gilbert-Kaye, and wounded several others including Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein and an eight-year-old child. The suspect, John Timothy Earnest, was apprehended approximately two miles from the scene of the crime. When investigated, it was found that not only was the attack premeditated but was full of anti-Semitism fueled by novels from the 1970s written by neo-nazis, white genocide conspiracy theories, and previous gunmen who committed similar acts.

The legal proceedings following the attack began three days later, involving one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder all of which included “hate-crime and gun allegations” which make Earnest liable to face severe penalties. Represented by a public defender, Earnest is currently on trial for 109 federal charges including 54 counts of obstruction of freedom to exercise religious beliefs and 54 counts of hate crimes. In addition to these charges, Earnest took responsibility for an arson attempt on a mosque in Escondido and graffiti praising the Christchurch shooter. Earnest pleads not guilty. The set trial date at this point in time is June 2, 2020, which is subject to change providing California law opts to go for the death penalty.

As of March 5^th, 2020, new developments in the case have surfaced. The San Diego District Attorney’s office is currently seeking the death penalty for John Timothy Earnest, whose defense attorney is pleading for more time to build a case. Reportedly, no visible reaction was given in court by the defendant leading onlookers to believe that he shows no remorse for his alleged crimes.