US to seek death penalty in case of SC church shooter Dylann Roof

Federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty for a white man accused of killing nine black parishioners at a historic church in Charleston, South Carolina, last June, the U.S. Justice Department said on Tuesday.

“The nature of the alleged crime and the resulting harm compelled this decision,” Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement.

Dylann Roof, 22, is accused of opening fire on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study session at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston.

Dylann Roof faces 33 federal charges, including hate crimes, obstruction of religion and firearms offenses. Authorities have accused him of holding white supremacist views, saying he targeted the victims because of their race.

His federal trial had been delayed while U.S. prosecutors decided whether to seek the death penalty. Defense attorneys have said he would plead guilty if he did not face the possibility of execution.

He also faces the state death penalty if convicted of the shooting.

Roof’s attorney, Michael O’Connell, declined to comment on the prosecution’s decision when reached by phone on Tuesday.

Roof also faces the death penalty if convicted on separate, state murder charges in a trial set to begin in January.

Owing to their religious beliefs, some of the victims’ families do not believe in the death penalty, while others felt it was appropriate, the state prosecutor trying the case said last September.

Steve Schmutz, an attorney representing families of three victims, said his clients “support whatever decision the U.S. government is making in this case, and I’m sure they support this decision.”

When Roof was charged days after the shooting, some relatives of the slain worshippers tearfully offered words of forgiveness during an initial court appearance. One asked God to have mercy on his soul, while others noted that the victims would have urged love.

Almost a year later, views diverged on the U.S. government’s death penalty decision, the local Post and Courier newspaper reported.

“It’s a great message being sent by the government that this won’t be tolerated,” Kevin Singleton, whose mother was killed, told the newspaper.

The relative of another victim cited the Bible in calling for Roof to spend his life in prison rather than die.