The man accused of shooting to death nine parishioners inside a Charleston church just pleaded not guilty to federal hate crimes charges.
Dylann Roof has just pleaded not guilty to 33 federal hate crimes charges and 13 weapons charges.
Roof, 21, is the man charged with the June 17 murders of nine Black parishioners with whom he sat for an hour before opening fire on them last month, leading to nationwide mourning. President Barack Obama eulogized the church’s pastor, Clementa Pinkney.
Roof’s attorney, David Bruck, had told reporters his client would plead guilty if the government did not seek the death penalty. Prosecutors have yet to decide if they will ask for the death penalty.
Roof’s victims were State Sen. and the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, the Revs. Sharonda Singleton, DePayne Middleton Doctor, and Daniel Simmons Sr.; and Cynthia Hurd, Myra Thompson, Ethel Lance, and Susie Jackson.