The man alleged to be responsible for the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh will finally face trial after almost five years of delays. 

Charged with 99 state and federal crimes, including the murders of 11 worshippers and the attempted murder of six, the shooter has pleaded not guilty on all counts. An arduous jury selection process means that the defendant will be tried later this year. 

The shooter, a middle-aged trucker from the Pittsburgh area, shouted “all Jews must die” as he rampaged through the synagogue. An investigation into the shooter’s motives revealed that he harbored unhinged, anti-semitic and racists beliefs like the so-called “Great Replacement” theory — a crank perspective that maintains that “elites” (often coded as Jewish people) are increasing immigration numbers to replace white populations in the United States and Western Europe. 

The Tree of Life Synagogue had been involved with the immigrant advocacy group Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), which connects local, faith-based institutions with immigrant families settling in the United States. 

On the day of the shooting, the defendant wrote on the right-wing social media site Gab that “HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people. I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.” 

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, but it seems that Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) would not sign off on such a verdict. 

“I listened to the members of the Tree of Life community and was blown away by their courage and their fortitude. They told me that even after all the pain and anguish, they did not want the killer put to death,” Shapiro announced in a letter stating he would not allow executions under his governorship.