June 17, 2015. On this date, during a prayer service at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Dylann Roof killed nine people and injured one more. Roof later confessed that he committed the shooting in hopes of igniting a race war, similar to the motive of Charles Manson. It was later found that Roof had a website that contained photos of him posing with symbols of white supremacy and neo-Nazism, in addition to a manifesto that outlined his views. Back in December 2016, he was convicted in a federal court of 33 federal hate crime charges against him, and he faces the death penalty for these charges as well.
Earlier this week, Roof spoke in front of a courtroom about his actions. One of the main issues discussed after the shooting was whether or not Roof suffered from a mental illness that may have played a role in guiding his actions. Speaking to the court, Roof said “Other than the fact that I trust people that I shouldn’t and the fact that I’m probably better at constantly embarrassing myself than anyone who’s ever existed, there’s nothing wrong with me psychologically." Representing himself, Roof spoke these words directly to the jury that found him guilty of his crime. Part of Roof's manifesto that was written during his time in prison was also read as part of the opening statement: “I would like to make it crystal clear I do not regret what I did. I am not sorry. I have not shed a tear for the innocent people I killed. I do feel sorry for the innocent white children forced to live in this sick country and I do feel sorry for the innocent white people that are killed daily at the hands of the lower race. I have shed a tear of self-pity for myself. I feel pity that I had to do what I did in the first place. I feel pity that I had to give up my life because of a situation that should never have existed.”
Nathan S. Williams, assistant to the United States attorney, told the court that the death penalty was justified. He cited the fact that Roof did not stop shooting, and that he killed nine people. He also argued that Roof was capable of showing remorse, as he left his own mother a note of apology, but that he only showed remorse for the actions that would directly affect his family and not others.
Roof has chosen to represent himself in his trial. He does not plan to call witnesses or present evidence on his behalf, and did not cross-examine any of the prosecution’s witnesses. This differs greatly from the strategy of Justice Department lawyers, who have said they may call more than 30 witnesses, including at least one survivor of the attack, family members of the victims and federal law enforcement officials.
Some survivors of the shooting spoke in court along with family members of the other victims, voicing the horror that they experienced and how Roof's actions continue to have a devastating toll on their lives. Roof has since been deemed competent by a judge to face the death penalty, and the trial is expected to begin deliberations this upcoming Tuesday.
