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Charleston church shooting: state trial delayed due to continuing federal case Charleston church shooting: state trial delayed due to continuing federal case
(35 minutes later)
Dylann Roof’s next trial for the killing of nine black worshippers at a Charleston church has been delayed.Dylann Roof’s next trial for the killing of nine black worshippers at a Charleston church has been delayed.
Jury selection in the state death penalty trial was supposed to begin Jan. 17. But Circuit Judge JC Nicholson’s said in an order on Thursday that a delay was needed because Roof’s federal trial was still going on. Jury selection in the state death penalty trial was supposed to begin 17 January. But Circuit Judge JC Nicholson’s said in an order on Thursday that a delay was needed because Roof’s federal trial was still going on.
The jury in that trial last month unanimously found Roof guilty of murder, hate crimes and other charges in the shooting deaths of the nine black church members during Bible study. The jurors are currently hearing testimony relating to whether he should be sentenced to life in prison or death.The jury in that trial last month unanimously found Roof guilty of murder, hate crimes and other charges in the shooting deaths of the nine black church members during Bible study. The jurors are currently hearing testimony relating to whether he should be sentenced to life in prison or death.
Nicholson’s order did not give a new date for the trial to start.Nicholson’s order did not give a new date for the trial to start.
State prosecutor Scarlett Wilson has said she wants to review the federal trial before deciding how to proceed in state court.State prosecutor Scarlett Wilson has said she wants to review the federal trial before deciding how to proceed in state court.
Roof is charged with murder in state court for the 2015 killings at Emanuel AME in Charleston.Roof is charged with murder in state court for the 2015 killings at Emanuel AME in Charleston.
In the federal court on Thursday, the judge overseeing Roof’s sentencing said he was frustrated by a motion to limit emotional victim testimony.In the federal court on Thursday, the judge overseeing Roof’s sentencing said he was frustrated by a motion to limit emotional victim testimony.
Richard Gergel, a US district judge, said it was to be expected that witnesses would be upset talking about the deaths of their loved ones.Richard Gergel, a US district judge, said it was to be expected that witnesses would be upset talking about the deaths of their loved ones.
Gergel was reacting to a motion he said mischaracterized what was going on in Roof’s sentencing this week by exaggerating courtroom reaction to emotional testimony.Gergel was reacting to a motion he said mischaracterized what was going on in Roof’s sentencing this week by exaggerating courtroom reaction to emotional testimony.
Gergel said it was natural to be moved by such testimony.Gergel said it was natural to be moved by such testimony.
Roof made no objection to the judge’s denial of the motion, which was probably the idea of his standby counsel.Roof made no objection to the judge’s denial of the motion, which was probably the idea of his standby counsel.
The defense attorneys who represented Roof during the guilt phase of his trial have several times told the judge they still do not feel Roof is capable of representing himself, despite Gergel’s repeated rulings to the contrary.The defense attorneys who represented Roof during the guilt phase of his trial have several times told the judge they still do not feel Roof is capable of representing himself, despite Gergel’s repeated rulings to the contrary.
Roof, who has admitted his involvement in the June 2015 killings, has said he plans to call no witnesses or put up a case to try to save his life.Roof, who has admitted his involvement in the June 2015 killings, has said he plans to call no witnesses or put up a case to try to save his life.
Earlier, the sister of a woman killed in the massacre said she always put her faith first.Earlier, the sister of a woman killed in the massacre said she always put her faith first.
Bethane Middleton said she called her sister DePayne Middleton-Doctor “a borrowed angel” who never asked God for much, yet was provided plenty.Bethane Middleton said she called her sister DePayne Middleton-Doctor “a borrowed angel” who never asked God for much, yet was provided plenty.
Middleton said her sister worked hard to care for her four children and find ways to get them what they needed.Middleton said her sister worked hard to care for her four children and find ways to get them what they needed.
In further testimony, a friend of another woman killed described her as a devoted, energetic woman who loved to help others.In further testimony, a friend of another woman killed described her as a devoted, energetic woman who loved to help others.
Rita Whidbee said she and Sharonda Coleman-Singleton ran track together in college and were inseparable thereafter. Whidbee described her friend as a dedicated woman of faith who embraced the ministry and was a natural in teaching God’s word to others.Rita Whidbee said she and Sharonda Coleman-Singleton ran track together in college and were inseparable thereafter. Whidbee described her friend as a dedicated woman of faith who embraced the ministry and was a natural in teaching God’s word to others.
Coleman-Singleton’s daughter, Cam’Ryne Singleton, told jurors her mother would pray over her children before they went to sleep and expressed faith in everything she did.Coleman-Singleton’s daughter, Cam’Ryne Singleton, told jurors her mother would pray over her children before they went to sleep and expressed faith in everything she did.
So far, prosecutors have called seven witnesses to talk about the nine people killed in the June 2015 attack during a Bible study at Emanuel AME Church, and say they are paring down the number of witnesses they plan to call.So far, prosecutors have called seven witnesses to talk about the nine people killed in the June 2015 attack during a Bible study at Emanuel AME Church, and say they are paring down the number of witnesses they plan to call.
Jay Richardson, an assistant US attorney, said he was trying to be judicious in how many relatives he called of the victims of the slaughter at Emanuel AME Church.Jay Richardson, an assistant US attorney, said he was trying to be judicious in how many relatives he called of the victims of the slaughter at Emanuel AME Church.
Roof has objected to the total number of 38 witnesses, and the judge has agreed, saying some of the testimony can be repetitive.Roof has objected to the total number of 38 witnesses, and the judge has agreed, saying some of the testimony can be repetitive.