Dylann Roof to represent self in Charleston murder trial

A federal judge is allowing Dylann Roof, the man charged with killing nine people at a church in Charleston, to represent himself.

He faces 33 federal charges, including violations of hate crime laws and religious freedoms.

He faces a possible death sentence if convicted.

In a Charleston courtroom, the judge asked Roof a series of questions to determine whether he understood the charges, the punishment he faced and the trial duties he was undertaking.

Roof’s surprise request to act as his own attorney – made Sunday night and approved Monday morning by U.S. Judge Richard Gergel – means Roof could play a role in questioning witnesses, including survivors of the slayings of nine African-Americans who were at a Bible study.

Opening arguments in the case are not expected to start for at least another three weeks as the court processes the 512 potential jurors into a final panel of 12 with six alternates. Death penalty attorney David Bruck slid over and allowed Roof to take the main chair at the table. “And I think particularly people who have committed an act like this, think that if they can get their message across to the jury that they will understand”, said Anthony. But, in another twist, Mr Gergel said he had received a motion from Roof seeking to represent himself. Judge Gergel sealed his reasons for the finding, saying the information could prevent Roof from having a fair trial, according to the Associated Press.

Seven potential jurors have been qualified in the federal death penalty trial of the white man accused of fatally shooting nine black parishioners at a SC church. Gergel had already indicated he planned to strike the potential juror because the man said all multiple murders warrant the death penalty.

This phase of jury selection initially was set to begin November 7 but was postponed after Gergel ordered Roof to undergo psychiatric evaluation based on a defense motion filed that morning.

Another juror was cut from the pool without objection after expressing opposition to imprisoning people for life without parole, because of the cost, while expressing support for the death penalty in murder cases.

Court-appointed psychiatrist Dr. James Ballenger reported on Roof’s competency in a two-day hearing last week.

Roof, 22, did not say why he wanted to take the lead in his case.

Jury selection then continued in the federal trial. That trial is set to begin in mid-January. Roof is also facing nine counts of murder in a state death-penalty case.