*Dylann Roof has been found competent to stand trial in the killing of nine black worshippers at South Carolina’s Emanuel A.M.E. Church.
U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel announced the decision Friday morning (Nov. 25), according to reports.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Monday, Nov. 28.
Roof, who is white, is charged with hate crimes, obstruction of religion and other counts in the killings.
Authorities said he sat with 12 people in a prayer meeting for nearly an hour before firing dozens of times, killing nine and leaving three people unharmed so they could tell the world the shootings were because he hated black people.
Roof’s lawyers have said previously that he would plead guilty to the charges in federal court if prosecutors would agree not to seek the death penalty.
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