Dylann Roof pleads not guilty to federal charges in Charleston church shootings

He appeared in the courtroom on Friday, wearing a gray striped prison jumpsuit. He answered yes several times in response to the judge’s questions but otherwise didn’t speak.

Roof, who is white, allegedly planned to trigger a “racial war” with the 17 June attack on a Bible study group at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Church in Charleston.

The arraignment was delayed from its originally scheduled time on Monday following requests from both the government and Roof’s defense attorneys.

The counts add to the raft of state murder and attempted murder counts he already faces. Each of the victims were black and Roof is white.

Dylann Storm Roof appeared in a courtroom just blocks from the site of the massacre as he was formally read the 33 federal charges stemming from the shooting. Several church representatives also spoke.

Shortly afterward, photos emerged of Roof wrapped in a Confederate flag emerged along with a hate-filled “manifesto” filled with racist ramblings.

“On that summer evening, Dylan Roof found his targets: African-Americans engaged in worship”.

“For these crimes, Roof faces penalties of up to life imprisonment or the death penalty”, said Loretta Lynch with the U.S. Department of Justice.

At an earlier appearance in state court, family members riveted the country by expressing heartfelt forgiveness to Roof, saying their Christian faith compelled them to rise above their grief.

The prosecution, particularly on hate crimes, had been expected since the June 17 shootings at Emanuel AME Church in downtown Charleston.

Eighteen of the 33 charges filed against Roof could make him eligible for the death penalty, though prosecutors have not said whether they would pursue that punishment. Sharonda Singleton, DePayne Middleton Doctor, and Daniel Simmons Sr.; and Cynthia Hurd, Myra Thompson, Ethel Lance, and Susie Jackson.