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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

November Trial Set for Accused Church Shooter

CHARLESTON, S.C. (CN) - The federal death penalty trial of the white man accused of killing nine members of a historic black church in South Carolina will begin in November, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

After a scheduling hearing at the J. Waites Waring Judicial Center in Charleston Tuesday afternoon, Chief U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel announced jury selection in the trial of Dylann Storm Roof will begin on November 7.

Roof, who is accused of gunning down the pastor and parishioners at the Emanuel AME Church after spending an hour with them in a Wednesday night bible study class last June 17, faces numerous federal counts, including hate crimes charges.

His state trial on multiple murder charges is scheduled to be held in January. Ninth Judicial Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson has also said she will seek the death penalty.

During Tuesday's hearing, a handcuffed Roof sat impassively while his attorneys told Gergel their client would be willing to plead guilty if the death penalty was not being sought.

The trial is expected to last up to six weeks.

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