Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
San Diego Area Synagogue Shooting Suspect Pleads Guilty
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 3 years ago on
July 21, 2021

Share

A 22-year-old former nursing student pleaded guilty Tuesday to murder and other charges in connection with a deadly shooting at a Southern California synagogue on the last day of Passover.

John T. Earnest avoided the death penalty with his plea in San Diego Superior Court. The San Diego County district attorney’s office said he agreed to serve the rest of his life in state prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 30.

Earnest opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle during the last day of Passover services in April 2019 at Chabad of Poway. The attack killed 60-year-old Lori Gilbert-Kaye and wounded three others, including an 8-year-old girl and the rabbi, who lost a finger.

Earnest then called 911 to say he had shot up a synagogue because Jews were trying to “destroy all white people,” authorities said.

He faces similar charges in federal court, where U.S. prosecutors face an Aug. 30 deadline on whether to pursue the death penalty. Kelly Thornton, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office in San Diego, said the federal case is moving forward, with a hearing scheduled for Sept. 8.

Plea Agreement to Prevent Death Penalty

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland halted federal executions this month while the Justice Department conducts a review of its policies and procedures.

Earnest submitted a conditional plea agreement for consideration by federal prosecutors on June 4, the San Diego County district attorney’s office said.

The district attorney said it consulted the Kaye family and other victims before agreeing to the deal, aware that a possible plea arrangement in the federal prosecution would prevent the state’s case from moving forward.

“While we reserved the option of trying this as a death penalty case, life in prison without the possibility of parole for the defendant is an appropriate resolution to this violent hate crime, and we hope it brings a measure of justice and closure to the victims, their families, friends and the wider community,” the office said. “This plea ensures the defendant is held accountable for his crimes under California state law.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a moratorium on the death penalty in 2019.

Representatives of Chabad of Poway didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

You Might Spot a Mountain Lion in California, But Attacks Like the One That Killed a Man Are Rare

DON'T MISS

California Democratic Lawmakers Seek Ways to Combat Retail Theft While Keeping Progressive Policy

DON'T MISS

California Wants to Pay Doctors More Money to See Medicaid Patients

DON'T MISS

State Farm Won’t Be There. It’s Dropping 72,000 Home Policies in California

DON'T MISS

California Tribe That Lost 90% of Land During Gold Rush to Get Site to Serve as Gateway to Redwoods

DON'T MISS

Ohtani and Dodgers Rally to Beat Padres 5-2 in Season Opener, First MLB Game in South Korea

DON'T MISS

Unique IndyCar All-Star Race Is This Weekend Near Palm Springs

DON'T MISS

Blake Snell and San Francisco Giants Agree to $62 Million, 2-Year Contract, AP Source Says

DON'T MISS

Reddit is Preparing to Sell Shares to the Public. Here’s What You Need to Know

DON'T MISS

The 49ers Have Been Docked a 2025 Fifth-Round Draft Pick for an Accounting Error

No data was found

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP Pick in 2000, Dead at 82

16 hours ago

Trump Criticizes Judge and His Daughter After Gag Order in Hush-Money Case

17 hours ago

CA Insurance Market ‘in Chaos,’ Says Former Insurance Commissioner. Can Lara Fix It?

18 hours ago

Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Sets a Record After Wall Streets Breaks Out of Its Lull

18 hours ago

House Speaker Mike Johnson Headed to Fresno on April 4

18 hours ago

Bredefeld, Smittcamp Debate the Salary of Valley Children’s CEO

18 hours ago

CA’s Liberal Government Has a Long History of Caving to Special Interests

19 hours ago

Corrupt Process? Bullard, Edison Parents Blast Handling of Superintendent Search

19 hours ago

Police Had About 90 Seconds to Stop Traffic Before Baltimore Bridge Fell. 6 Workers Are Feared Dead

20 hours ago

NBC Has Cut Ties With Former RNC Head Ronna McDaniel After Employee Objections, Some on the Air

20 hours ago

Supermom Carmi Is Ready to Be Embraced by Her Forever Family

Carmi, an incredible 1-year-old kitten mama, can be very gentle but can also get overstimulated and give love bites. Even her warm, honey-co...
Animals /

3 hours ago

Animals /
3 hours ago

Supermom Carmi Is Ready to Be Embraced by Her Forever Family

11 hours ago

Ukrainian Navy Says a Third of Russian Warships in the Black Sea Have Been Destroyed or Disabled

Composite image of President Trump and Devin Nunes
15 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: How Going to Work for Trump Turned Devin Nunes Into a Millionaire

16 hours ago

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP Pick in 2000, Dead at 82

17 hours ago

Trump Criticizes Judge and His Daughter After Gag Order in Hush-Money Case

18 hours ago

CA Insurance Market ‘in Chaos,’ Says Former Insurance Commissioner. Can Lara Fix It?

18 hours ago

Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Sets a Record After Wall Streets Breaks Out of Its Lull

18 hours ago

House Speaker Mike Johnson Headed to Fresno on April 4

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend