After waiting for justice for nearly five years, survivors and victims’ families spoke about the synagogue mass shooting, after the verdict was read in federal court.
Full press conference: Tree of Life families and victims speak
It was in the very room where Wednesday’s news conference was held that family members sat on October 27, 2018 awaiting the fate of loved ones inside the synagogue.
Audrey Glickman was one of those survivors She says they had to keep some details of that day quiet.
“The only thing positive about the sentencing of a criminal, is that this long slog is over,” said Glickman. “It’s been difficult being silent about the case for all these years, as we were advised.”
Several family members said they learned new details about the shooting during the trial.
Diane Rosenthal, sister of victims Cecil and David Rosenthal was among those that thanked the jury, prosecution and judge Robert Colville.
“After reviewing all of the evidence and days and days of testimonies, it’s been over two months of long and difficult days away from their families and normal lives and we are now happy to give that back to them,” said Rosenthal, addressing the jury.
About a dozen people spoke including Rabbi Jeffery Myers of Tree of Life, who said the verdict proves anti-Semitism won’t be tolerated in the United States.
“Today we received an immense embrace from the hall of justice, around all of us, to say that our government does not condone anti-Semitism,” said Myers.
As for what happens next, one person said there will never be closure but that the trial ending is the beginning of a new chapter.