Closing arguments begin Thursday in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial

Closing arguments are set to start Thursday in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial. The jury could begin deliberating later this afternoon.

The final witnesses for this guilt phase of the trial gave powerful testimony. They were two survivors of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting — a police officer and a congregation member.

Andrea Wedner was shot inside the synagogue and survived, while her 97-year-old mother, Rose Mallinger, was shot and killed next to her. The sounds of both of them being shot were captured on Wedner’s call to 911.

Wedner recounted to jurors that she heard a loud crash from the lobby area, then many rapid gunshots in the hallway.

Her mother looked at her and said, “What do we do?” They heard the rabbi say, “Get down.” She said they were very frightened and felt in danger.

Wedner has a clear memory of seeing the shooter: he was on their side of the chapel, behind the last pew, directly in front of her.

Read more: WTAE (Pittsburgh, PA)