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Charleston church shooter sentenced to death

Author
AP / NZHerald,
Publish Date
Wed, 11 Jan 2017, 11:44AM
(Image: Twitter)
(Image: Twitter)

Charleston church shooter sentenced to death

Author
AP / NZHerald,
Publish Date
Wed, 11 Jan 2017, 11:44AM

Dylann Roof was sentenced to death today for killing nine black church members during Bible study in a racially motivated attack, the first person to face execution for federal hate crime convictions.

A jury deliberated his sentence for about three hours, capping a trial in which Roof did not fight for his life or show any remorse. At the beginning of the trial, he addressed jurors directly, insisting that he wasn't mentally ill, but he never asked them for forgiveness or mercy, or explained the crime.

 

He threw away one last chance to plead for his life on Wednesday, telling jurors: "I still feel like I had to do it."

Every juror looked directly at Roof as he spoke for about five minutes. A few nodded as he reminded them that they said during jury selection they could fairly weigh the factors of his case. Only one of them, he noted, had to disagree to spare his life.

"I have the right to ask you to give me a life sentence, but I'm not sure what good it would do anyway," he said.

When the verdict was read, he stood stoic and showed no emotion. He will be formally sentenced Wednesday.

 

The 33 counts against Dylann Roof

• Hate crime resulting in death (nine counts)
• Hate crime involving an attempt to kill (three counts)
• Obstruction of exercise of religion resulting in death (nine counts)
• Obstruction of exercise of religion involving an attempt to kill and use of a dangerous weapon (three counts)
• Use of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence (nine counts)

 

- AP
- NZ Herald

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