Synagogue shooting suspect pleads not guilty to new charges
Posted May 28, 2019 4:29 pm.
SAN DIEGO — The sole suspect in a fatal shooting at a Southern California synagogue has pleaded not guilty to federal hate crimes and other charges.
John T. Earnest entered the plea Tuesday in San Diego, a week after a grand jury returned a 113-count indictment that largely mirrors a complaint filed shortly after his arrest on April 27.
The indictment added four counts of using and carrying a firearm during commission of a violent crime.
Earnest also faces charges of murder and attempted murder for the attack on Chabad of Poway on the last day of Passover. One person died and three were injured.
Earnest’s parents attended the brief hearing but did not appear to exchange eye contact with their son. The suspect spoke only once, to acknowledge his name.
The Associated Press
