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| Charleston shootings: Death penalty sought for Dylann Roof | Charleston shootings: Death penalty sought for Dylann Roof |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Prosecutors in the US state of South Carolina say they will seek the death penalty for a white man accused of shooting dead nine black people at a church in Charleston. | Prosecutors in the US state of South Carolina say they will seek the death penalty for a white man accused of shooting dead nine black people at a church in Charleston. |
| Dylann Roof is charged with murdering the nine parishioners in June during their Bible study class. | Dylann Roof is charged with murdering the nine parishioners in June during their Bible study class. |
| Prosecutor Scarlett Wilson said the killings were "the ultimate crime" and deserved "the ultimate punishment". | Prosecutor Scarlett Wilson said the killings were "the ultimate crime" and deserved "the ultimate punishment". |
| The 21 year old also faces separate federal charges of hate crimes. | The 21 year old also faces separate federal charges of hate crimes. |
| The church where the killings took place is a nationally known historic black church, and federal prosecutors claim the killings were racially motivated. | The church where the killings took place is a nationally known historic black church, and federal prosecutors claim the killings were racially motivated. |
| After the shootings, photos emerged online of Dylann Roof holding the Confederate battle flag, sparking a backlash against the emblem, which to many is a symbol of slavery. | After the shootings, photos emerged online of Dylann Roof holding the Confederate battle flag, sparking a backlash against the emblem, which to many is a symbol of slavery. |
| Ms Wilson said family members of the victims respected her decision to seek the death penalty, despite differing views on the punishment: | Ms Wilson said family members of the victims respected her decision to seek the death penalty, despite differing views on the punishment: |
| "Some family members of victims, because of their faith, do not believe in the death penalty under any circumstances. Some believe the death penalty is just too easy. | "Some family members of victims, because of their faith, do not believe in the death penalty under any circumstances. Some believe the death penalty is just too easy. |
| "Still others believe that the death penalty for the murders at Mother Emanuel Church is entirely appropriate. | |
| "We all agree that forgiveness is an important part of the healing process but know that forgiveness doesn't necessarily mean foregoing consequences, even severe consequences," she said. |