Officers with the Department of Homeland Security patrol outside the federal courthouse in Charleston, S.C., on Nov. 7. Chuck Burton/AP hide caption
Officers with the Department of Homeland Security patrol outside the federal courthouse in Charleston, S.C., on Nov. 7.
Chuck Burton/APDylann Roof, who is accused of murdering nine black parishioners in the basement of a church in Charleston, S.C., will represent himself during his federal trial.
U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel granted Roof's motion on Monday to act as his own counsel. Roof faces 33 federal hate crimes counts, among other charges, and the government is seeking the death penalty. He has pleaded not guilty.
The Two-Way
Dylann Roof Declared Competent To Stand Trial In S.C. Church Killings
Roof, who is 22, underwent a competency assessment this month after his attorney raised questions about his mental state.
On Friday, the judge ruled Roof competent to stand trial, as The Two-Way reported. In that decision, Gergel said the defendant must understand the proceedings and have the capacity to consult with his lawyers, which he concluded Roof was capable of doing.
Roof now sitting in lead counsel chair looking at paperwork while still in grey and white prison jumpsuit. Bruck by his side.
— Alexandra (@Alexolgin) November 28, 2016
After the judge granted Roof's motion, Alexandra Olgin of South Carolina Public Radio reported from inside the courtroom that Roof moved into the chair reserved for the lead defense counsel, "still in a grey and white prison jumpsuit." David Bruck, who has been Roof's attorney, sat next to him.
The final phase of jury selection begins Monday. Roof and attorneys for the prosecution will both question potential jurors.
The federal hate crimes charges were brought after the Justice Department concluded the murders were racially motivated.
As The Two-Way has reported:
"The federal hate-crime charges against Roof "'center on both the victims' race and their identity as churchgoers who were attempting to follow their religious beliefs when Roof attacked.' At the time, [Attorney General Loretta Lynch] called hate crimes 'the original domestic terrorism.'
"Roof also faces federal weapons charges.
"The Justice Department says he selected the [Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church] and his victims to win notoriety and to try to ignite a race war."
Roof appeared to have set up a website that included a "manifesto-like diatribe against non-whites," as we have reported.
Roof is also facing separate murder charges brought by the state of South Carolina. That trial is scheduled to begin in January.
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