Mass murderer Dylann S. Roof will be facing the death penalty when he is tried in federal court, it was determined by the Justice Department on Tuesday (May 23). The decision puts his life on the line for the second of two trials he will stand as the man accused of killing 9 congregants of a Charleston, S.C. church, during prayer services last June. The fate of his trial by the state had already been sealed, as prosecutor Scarlett A. Wilson is on record having said, as early as September, that she would seek Roof's execution.
In a seven-page filing, the prosecution broke down why they were led to their decision, noting that Roof has “expressed hatred and contempt towards African-Americans, as well as other groups, and his animosity towards African-Americans played a role in the murders charged in the indictment.” The document also pointed out that Roof “demonstrated a lack of remorse and targeted men and women participating in a Bible study group at the church in order to magnify the [attack's] societal impact”
There had been some debate over whether Roof ought to face the death penalty, with officials as high ranking as S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley calling for his death on one hand, while families of the victim on the other hand have granted the mercy of forgiving the killer. Lawyers for the defendant have let it be known that he'd be willing to exchange a plea of guilty for life in prison. Roof faces 33 counts of murder, hate crimes, weapons charges and obstructing the practice of religion. No date has yet been set for the federal trial to begin.
Source: hiphopwired.com
