The Facts
On Friday, a federal jury in the US state of Pennsylvania found Robert Bowers guilty of the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting that killed 11 worshippers and injured seven others.
He was convicted of all 63 charges, including hate crimes, obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs, and using a firearm to commit murder.
The Spin
Narrative A
Whether Bowers went to the synagogue to kill Jews out of hatred towards their religion or his belief that they were trying to change the US' demographic landscape, there's no justification for turning a sacred house of worship into a hunting ground. While his conviction will do little to ease the pain for victims' kin, it will serve as a deterrent for future antisemitic acts.
Narrative B
The Pittsburgh shooting was undoubtedly traumatic, and Bowers must be held accountable. Nonetheless, his mental health and law-abiding solitary life must be considered before giving him the death penalty. More importantly, if the US wants to end hate crimes, it must first address the elephant in the room — gun control.