About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 2018)
4A Friday, November 2, 2018 The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com STATE/NATION SYNAGOGUE MASSACRE Funerals extend for 3rd day as suspect pleads not guilty GENE J. PUSKAR I Associated Press A painted rock in memory of Rose Mallinger, 97, is part of a makeshift memorial Wednesday, Oct. 31, outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, to the 11 people killed during worship services Saturday. BY MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press PITTSBURGH — The anti-Semitic truck driver accused of gunning down 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal charges that could put him on death row, as funerals for the victims of the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in Ameri can history continued for a third day. Robert Bowers, 46, was arraigned one day after a grand jury issued a 44-count indictment charging him with murder, hate crimes, obstructing the practice of religion and other crimes. It was his second brief appearance in a federal courtroom since the weekend massacre at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood. “Yes!” Bowers said in a loud voice when asked if he understood the charges. Authorities say Bowers raged against Jews during and after the massacre. He remains jailed without bail. Bowers, who was shot and wounded during a gun battle that injured four police officers, walked into court under his own power, his left arm heavily bandaged. He was in a wheelchair at his first court appearance Monday. Bowers frowned as the charges were read but did not appear to have a reac tion as a federal prosecutor announced he could face a death sentence. He told a prosecutor he had read the indictment. One of his federal public defenders, Michael Novara, said Bowers pleaded not guilty, “as is typical at this stage of the proceedings.” Bowers had been set for a prelimi nary hearing on the evidence, but fed eral prosecutors instead took the case to a grand jury. The panel issued the indictment as funerals continued for the victims, including a husband and wife married at Tree of Life 62 years ago. Marc Simon, the son of Bernice and Sylvan Simon, recalled his parents as a “beacon of light” whose example can help “eliminate the hate that led to their untimely deaths.” Family members recalled the Simons as warm and welcoming, and dedicated to their faith and one another. Their daughter, Michelle Simon Weis, said she enjoyed going with her mother to Costco, where Bernice, 84, make sure to try the food samples. Weis said she dreamed her father, 86, could now drive a sports car as fast as he wanted without “Mom telling him to slow down.” The day’s other funeral was being held for Dr. Richard Gottfried, a den tist who worked part-time at a clinic treating refugees and immigrants. The oldest victim, 97-year-old Rose Mallinger, will be honored at the last service Friday. Her daughter was injured in the attack. Racial bias allegations probed at Coast Guard Academy BY MICHAEL MELIA Associated Press HARTFORD, Conn. — The Department of Home land Security’s inspector general is investigating alle gations of racial discrimina tion at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and inadequate follow-up by the school’s leadership, the agency said Thursday. The investigation will bring a new layer of scru tiny to the service acad emy that is already under pressure from Congress to address concerns about racial insensitivity, dispari ties in discipline and the administration’s handling of complaints. The probe began within the past few months and could take up to a year, Arlen Morales, a spokeswoman for the Office of Inspector General, told The Associ ated Press. It will look into how the academy responds to allegations of race or eth nicity-based discrimination. Ultimately, the academy will be required to provide a cor rective action plan, with the inspector general’s office updating Congress on any shortcomings. The academy is cooper ating with the investigation, spokesman David Santos said. The academy has made strides with mentoring pro grams and other initiatives to recruit and retain minori ties, but it is also clear work remains to be done, said U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney. “It’s an issue that’s got to once and for all get fixed,” said Courtney. “What I think is good about the IG’s office is they give perspective in terms of solutions. That would be welcome.” One of the nation’s small est service academies, the Coast Guard Academy is overseen by Homeland Secu rity, unlike others such as the U.S. Military Academy and the Naval Academy, which are run by the Defense Department. It enrolls over 1,000 cadets, who attend the school tuition-free and graduate as officers with a bachelor of science degree and a requirement to spend five years in the service. Oprah, Pence offer visions of ‘Georgia values’ BY BILL BARROW AND JEFF MARTIN Associated Press MARIETTA - In a rousing speech in the Republican-leaning sub urbs of Atlanta, Oprah Winfrey urged voters on Thursday to make history by backing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams in next week’s election. Winfrey called Abrams a “changemaker” who represents the values of all Georgians. “I am here today because Stacey Abrams cares about the things that matter,” she said to a mostly female audience north of downtown Atlanta. Seventy-five miles north, Vice President Mike Pence stood alongside Abrams’ opponent, Brian Kemp, in Dalton, and mocked the billionaire media icon who grew up in Mississippi as just another liberal out sider trying to impose on Republican-run Georgia. “Stacey Abrams is being bankrolled by Hollywood liberals,” Pence said. Pence drew boos from the crowd when he men tioned that “Oprah is in town” and noted that actor Will Ferrell was recently in Georgia for Democrats. “I’d like to remind Stacey and Oprah and Will Ferrell, I’m kind of a big deal, too,” Pence said, adding “a mes sage for all Stacey Abrams’ liberal Hollywood friends: This ain’t Hollywood. This is Georgia.” The competing scenes — from the candidates, to the audiences, to the head liner guests — underscore the choice Georgia voters face Tuesday in one of the nation’s premier midterm matchups. After Thurs day’s dueling outsiders, former President Barack Obama will follow on Fri day for Abrams. President Donald Trump will appear with Kemp on Sunday and previewed his argument on Thursday. “I’ve always liked Oprah,” he told report ers at the White House. “Oprah’s good, but the woman that she’s support ing is not qualified to be the governor of Georgia by any stretch of the imagina tion.” Trump did not detail why he found Abrams unqualified. More than 1.5 million of the state’s almost 7 million registered voters have cast ballots already. •Gift baskets •Embroidery •Unique gifts •Screen printing •Balloons for all occasions •Full Service Pharmacy •Free Local Delivery •Compounding Unit Dose Packaging HiverMde fharmaqj 935 Green St., Gainesville, GA 770.532.6253 • callriversidepharmacy.com STACEY ABRAMS Our Voices. Our Votes. Our Time. GOVERNOR I Early Voting Is Now Open! Election Day Is November 6. A DIVERSE AND THRIVING GEORGIA ECONOMY WITH HIGH-PAYING JOBS IN ALL 159 COUNTIES Stacey Abrams is a successful small business owner who will help Georgia businesses access the capital, skilled workforce, and infrastructure they need to thrive and create jobs in every region of our state. HIGH-QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL GEORGIANS Stacey Abrams will expand Medicaid for 500,000 Georgians who need health insurance, creating 56,000 jobs—60% of which will be outside of Metro Atlanta—and saving our rural hospitals from closure. PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR GEORGIA’S CHILDREN FROM CRADLE TO CAREER Stacey Abrams will be the Public Education Governor you can trust to fight for our public schools so Georgia’s children can reach their full potential no matter their zip code or family income. STACEYABRAMS.COM/VOTE Questions about voting? Call the Voter Protection Hotline at 1-888-730-5816. Paid for by Stacey Abrams for Governor 1270 Caroline Street Suite D120-447 • Atlanta, GA 30307
