Friday, March 29, 2024

Prosecutors to Seek Death Penalty for Charleston Church Shooter

Dylann Roof (R), 21, listens to proceeding with assistant defense attorney William Maguire during a hearing at the Judicial Center July 16, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina.
Dylann Roof (R), 21, listens to proceeding with assistant defense attorney William Maguire during a hearing at the Judicial Center July 16, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina.

*A South Carolina prosecutor has announced she will pursue the death penalty against the man charged with killing nine people at a Charleston church in June.

Court documents show Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson filed paperwork Thursday announcing she intends to seek the punishment for 21-year-old Dylann Roof when he goes to trial.

Roof is facing state charges that include nine counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and one count of possessing a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

In her filing, Wilson says she’s seeking the death penalty because Roof killed more than one person and used a weapon that allowed him to kill multiple people. The Associated Press reports prosecutors also said they intend to present evidence on Roof’s mental state, adult and juvenile criminal record and other conduct, as well as his apparent lack of remorse for the killings.

On June 17, police say Dylann Roof walked into Mother Emanuel AME Church, a historic house of worship near the city’s downtown area. After listening to a Bible study session for approximately one hour, police say he then stood up and began firing at the church members. Eight of them died at the church, while one was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Among the victims was Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the pastor of the church and a state senator who represented part of Charleston. The remaining members who were slain were Sharonda Coleman Singleton, 45; Tywanza Sanders, 26; Ethel Lance, 70; Susie Jackson, 87; Cynthia Hurd, 54; Myra Thompson, 59; Daniel Simmons Sr., 74; and DePayne Middleton Doctor, 49.

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