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Judge Allows Dylann Roof to Represent Himself at Trial in Charleston Killings Dylann Roof to Represent Himself at Trial in Charleston Church Shootings
(35 minutes later)
A federal judge ruled on Monday that Dylann S. Roof, who was charged in the massacre of nine black worshipers at a Charleston, S.C., church in 2015, can represent himself in his federal death-penalty trial.A federal judge ruled on Monday that Dylann S. Roof, who was charged in the massacre of nine black worshipers at a Charleston, S.C., church in 2015, can represent himself in his federal death-penalty trial.
The judge, Richard M. Gergel of Federal District Court in Charleston, called the request by Mr. Roof, 22, “strategically unwise,” but allowed him to have a lawyer present as backup.The judge, Richard M. Gergel of Federal District Court in Charleston, called the request by Mr. Roof, 22, “strategically unwise,” but allowed him to have a lawyer present as backup.
“I do find defendant has the personal capacity to self-representation,” Judge Gergel said, according to The Post & Courier. He added, “It is a decision you have the right to make.”“I do find defendant has the personal capacity to self-representation,” Judge Gergel said, according to The Post & Courier. He added, “It is a decision you have the right to make.”
Mr. Roof had been represented by David I. Bruck, a noted death-penalty lawyer, who slid over from the lead chair after the judge’s decision, which came days after Mr. Roof was found competent to stand trial. Mr. Roof had been represented by David I. Bruck, a noted death-penalty lawyer, who slid over from the lead chair after the judge’s decision. The ruling came days after Mr. Roof was found competent to stand trial.
The Justice Department is seeking the death penalty for Mr. Roof, a self-described white supremacist who is accused of the fatal shootings on June 17, 2015, at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.The Justice Department is seeking the death penalty for Mr. Roof, a self-described white supremacist who is accused of the fatal shootings on June 17, 2015, at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Roof offered to plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence last week, but prosecutors refused the deal. The charges against Mr. Roof include hate crimes resulting in death. The main question in his case has concerned whether he would receive the death penalty in a second phase after a determination of guilt.
Last week, he offered to plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence, but prosecutors refused the deal.
Jury selection began on Monday.Jury selection began on Monday.