The attack resulted in the death penalty for Robert Bowers, who was found guilty of killing 11 people.
A West Virginia man was apprehended on Thursday for allegedly intimidating the jury and witnesses in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter trial.
Federal prosecutors stated that Hardy Carroll Lloyd, aged 45, considered himself the leader of a white supremacy group and began posting negative online comments about the Bowers trial, including threatening posts, website comments, and emails to witnesses.
According to an affidavit, Lloyd’s alleged threats included the assertion that “we will be watching and taking pictures of ALL cars and people who leave the courthouse.” The threatening posts were made in a more violent manner during the trial and death penalty period, advocating for attacks on Jewish people and Pittsburgh.
Lloyd erected or procured stickers for the Jewish community in Pittsburgh, which were used to direct people to the site with his threats and anti-Semitic messages.
U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld stated that the American justice system is known for being brutal in harsh trials, and any attempts to intimidate witnesses or jurors will be highly criticized. “The use of hateful threats to undermine a trial is particularly disturbing.”
Matt Rourke/AP, FILE: A makeshift memorial stands outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh after a deadly shooting on Oct. 29, 2018.
The charges against Lloyd include obstructing the proper course of justice, making threats in interstate and foreign transactions, and manipulating witnesses. He could be sentenced to 10 years in jail, five years on a witness intimidation charge, as well as 20 years for tampering.
The federal jury that sentenced Bowers was given the death penalty on Aug. 3, after he was found guilty in June of killing 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue in an unprecedented antisemitic attack in U.S. history and being executed for his murder.
Mike Nordwall, the FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge, stated that violent threats used to intimidate or influence a community will not be tolerated. The agency prioritizes investigating crimes with religious implications, and the Jewish community was one target.
Before Bowers was sentenced to death, victims’ relatives gave emotional testimony.
Bowers was told in court on Thursday by Peg Durachko, the mother of Richard Gottfried, her husband of 65 years, that she was repulsed by their callous disregard for the deceased.
“My soulmate was taken by your hateful behavior,” she disclosed to Pittsburgh ABC affiliate WTAE.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh released a statement stating that it collaborated with the police to aid in Lloyd’s arrest.
Jeff Finkelstein, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, stated that today’s results are a result of years of close cooperation between law enforcement and the community.
This report was aided by Emily Shapiro of ABC News.