A federal judge on Wednesday repeatedly urged prudence as the Department of Justice (DOJ) contemplates whether to seek the death penalty for a man accused of fatally shooting two Israeli Embassy staffers earlier this year.

U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss’s suggestions came as the parties discussed an Oct. 20 deadline that defense attorneys for Elias Rodriguez face to present mitigating evidence to the government as it mulls pursuing capital punishment.

While Rodriguez’s counsel called the timeline “too quick,” federal prosecutors said during the hearing that the government believes it’s “reasonable” and that the courts have no business weighing in on DOJ’s internal timetable to make the decision.

Moss declined to step in, instead letting the parties reach an agreement about speeding up discovery to help ease the defense’s concerns. Still, he urged caution.

“Why not take some additional time to make sure the decision is an informed decision?” the judge asked at one point.

Rodriguez is accused of gunning down a young couple who worked for the embassy — Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26 — in May outside a Jewish museum in Washington.

© The Hill