Federal trial delayed in South Carolina church massacre

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

A judge delayed the federal trial for the white man accused of shooting dead nine parishioners at a historic black church in Charleston last June after federal prosecutors on Thursday said the government remained undecided on seeking the death penalty.

The Justice Department's deliberations are nearing completion, but it could be April before a decision is announced, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Richardson said in court.

Dylann Roof, 21, faces 33 federal hate crime and firearms charges after authorities said he opened fire during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, in a crime that shocked the nation and sparked a fierce debate about race and gun control.

Roof wants to plead guilty if the death penalty is not sought, his attorney, David Bruck, told the judge. He said the defense was not ready for trial until that decision had been made.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-south-carolina-shooting-idUSKCN0VK248

---

World | Thu Feb 11, 2016 1:28pm EST
CHARLESTON, S.C. | BY HARRIET MCLEOD

[bluestateguy]

1. No need for the death penalty

Just put him in with the other prisoners, and let nature take its course.

[forest444]

2. It's the Deep South; they're looking for a way let him off easy.

I lived in Mississippi for years. When the perpetrator of some crime (usually arson or vandalism) was a good ole boy or his kid, the courts would suddenly become oh so confused about the particulars, procedural details, etc. Once the controversy died down in the press, a mistrial would be declared. End of story.

Of course, this was multiple homicide; but still. An "amicable arrangement" is being discussed as we speak, believe you me (as they say down there).

[trillion]

3. That's exactly what I'm getting out of this.

I mean the police went and got him Burger King take out right after he was arrested because they said he really hadn't eaten anything. Had it have been a black buy killing a white, they'd have said tough, with for breakfast.

[Yo_Mama]

4. No, it's the Federal Government - Justice Department. I don't think good ol' boys have anything

to do with it. Psych eval might.

He just shot those people down. Guilt or innocence is not an issue.