(CN) - In a remarkable show of forgiveness, family members of the nine people gunned down during Bible study in Charleston church faced their loved ones' alleged killer in bond court Friday and told him, "Hate will not win."
Appearing via close-circuit television from the Charleston County jail across the street from the courtroom, Dylann Storm Roof looked downcast and said little as Judge Skip Gosnell explained the next steps in what promises to be a long legal process.
Because the court does not have authority to set bond for murder charges, Roof was guaranteed to remain in custody as his case proceeds. Judge Gosnell set bail at $1 million for the single count of illegal possession of a weapon.
He told Roof that his next court appearance will be on Oct. 23 and his second on Feb. 5, 2016.
The only time Roof reacted in any fashion was to meekly respond to Gosnell's questions regarding his address, age and employment status.
Ashley Pennington, Roof's court-appointed attorney, told Gosnell his client had no further statement to make.
With that, the judge turned to the victims' family members and offered them the opportunity to speak.
Nicole Lance, the daughter of Ethel Lance, 70, who had worked at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church for 30 years, wept softly as she spoke.
"I will never be able to talk to her again. I will never be able to hold her again, ... You have hurt a lot of people ... but I forgive you," she said.
Anthony Thompson, whose grandmother Myra Thompson, 59, also died in the slaughter, said he forgave Roof.
"My family forgives you," he said, urging the young man on the video screen to repent.
Felicia Sanders, mother of the youngest victim, Tywanza Sanders, 26, began haltingly.
"We welcomed you into our Bible study with open arms," she said, sounding mystified. "Every fiber in my body hurts. I will never be the same, but like the others, I say, may God have mercy on your soul."
"We are a family that love built," said Allana Simmons, grandaughter of Rev. Daniel Simmons, 74, the retired pastor of another church in Charleston, who died after being taken the Medical University of South Carolina. "We have no room for hate. We have to forgive you ... because hate will not win."
Morning law enforcement officials who asked not to be identified told reporters Frdiay that Roof confessed within moments of his arrest Thursday in Shelby, N.C., a small town about four hours northwest of Charleston, and told investigators he hoped to start a race war.
NBC News reported that Roof told investigators he almost didn't go through with the massacre "because everyone was so nice to him."
He ultimately decided he had to "go through with his mission," the report said.
None of Roof's relatives would comment when contacted by telephone by the Courthouse News. Until Wednesday night they were planning for a Sunday wedding of Roof's sister, Amber.
