As reported by Publicola, an appeals court has upheld the conviction of Jewish Federation gunman Naveed Haq, who claimed his civil rights were violated during his trial.

On July 27, 2006, Haq walked into the Jewish Federation offices in Belltown with two pistols in a laptop bag, and demanded to see the center's manager.

Naveed Haq finally received the justice he deserved: a life sentence without parole for the shooting death of Pamela Waechter, the severe injuring of five others and the hate crime committed against the Jewish people.

The sentencing hearing was emotional as victims and the defense made statements to the court. During the moving and personal remembrances of Pam, her love of life came shining through. “Just do the right thing” was a phrase both Pam’s daughter Nicki Waechter and Cantor David Serkin Poole recounted as a message often repeated by Pam.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle today responded to a King County jury’s guilty verdict for the man who forced his way into the Jewish Federation on July 28, 2006, shooting six employees and killing then campaign director Pamela Waechter. This was the second trial for Mr. Haq. The first ended in a mistrial.

“We are grateful that justice for this heinous hate crime has finally been served,” stated Richard Fruchter, President & CEO of the Jewish Federation. “Our hearts go out to the survivors of this shooting and their families, who bravely endured not only the shooting but two trials,” continued Fruchter.

The jury for the trial of Naveed Haq, charged in the shooting at our Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle’s downtown offices on July 28, 2006, shooting six employees and killing then campaign director Pamela Waechter, has come to a verdict.

Guilty on all counts.

See the press statement and other Haq trial updates.

Today in particular, Jewish Federation staff and volunteers are remembering Pamela Waechter, our former campaign director, murdered by Naveed Haq on July 28, 2006 at our downtown offices.  Today was both the closing arguments in the second trial against Mr. Haq and, coincidentally, also our Lion of Judah event named in Pam’s honor. Her birthday was also this week.

Her memory, dedication and warmth continue to guide the work that we do on behalf of the Jewish people.

Opening statements are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, October 21 in the second trial of Naveed Haq, who on July 28, 2006, forced his way into the downtown offices of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and opened fire, killing Pamela Waechter and wounding five other women: Layla Bush, Carol Goldman, Dayna Klein, Christina Rexroad and Cheryl Stumbo. While there is no argument that he committed the acts, the first trial ended in a mistrial.

Richard Fruchter, the President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, released the following statement:

Opening statements are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, October 21 in the second trial of Naveed Haq who on July 28, 2006, forced his way into our downtown offices and opened fire, killing our campaign director Pamela Waechter and wounding five other women: Layla Bush, Carol Goldman, Dayna Klein, Christina Rexroad and Cheryl Stumbo. While there is no argument that he committed the acts, the first trial ended in a mistrial.

By Mark Rahner, Seattle Times.

Maybe looking at a tree grown from the one Anne Frank stared at through the window of her hiding place will lend some perspective amid the country's "festering of hatred, the lack of tolerance," said Holocaust survivor Pete Metzelaar, citing current extremes in public demonstrations and the media.

Maybe it will serve as a reminder that "any community is in danger of falling into intolerance," said Ilana Kennedy, director of education at the Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center.

Strength After Disaster: Three Years Since Shooting at Jewish Federation Offices

Three years ago this week, a gunman forced his way into the Jewish Federation offices, killing one woman and gravely injuring five others. Those physically injured are still healing and will carry the pain and memory with them always. Our hearts and support continue to go out to them.

It is amazing how the Jewish community came together after the shooting and has gained strength from this rallying. We are a more united and better-prepared community as a result.

Thank you to everyone who has lent support and good wishes to us over the past few years, in particular. May we all continue to go from strength to strength.