who was dylann roofs lawyer

How many black women were on the jury in the Roof trial?

On December 7, 2016, Roof's federal trial began. The jury consisted of "two black women, eight white women, one white man and one black man". Two days into the trial, Roof's confession was played in court, admitting that he had killed the people at the church before chuckling. On December 15, 2016, after about two hours of deliberation, the jury found Roof guilty on all 33 counts.

How many charges did the roof face?

Five days after the shooting, Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced a grand jury had indicted Roof on 33 federal charges: nine counts of using a firearm to commit murder and 24 civil rights violations (12 hate crime charges under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act and 12 counts under a second hate-crime statute that prohibits using force or threatening the use of force to obstruct a person's free exercise of religious beliefs ), with 18 of the charges carrying the federal death penalty.

How many witnesses did the Roof trial have?

On August 23, 2016, federal prosecutors filed court documents announcing their intention to call thirteen expert witnesses at trial, including white supremacy experts who were expected to testify on Roof's "extremist ideology, including a belief in the need to use violence to achieve white supremacy.".

How many siblings does Bennett Roof have?

When Roof was five, his father married Paige Mann (née Hastings) in November 1999; they divorced after ten years of marriage. Roof has two siblings, an older half sister and a younger sister, Morgan Roof. Bennett Roof was allegedly verbally and physically abusive toward Mann.

Did the FBI find out about the roof?

FBI analysis of Roof's seized cellphone and computer found that he was in online communication with other white supremacists, according to unnamed officials. Although Roof's contacts did not appear to have encouraged the massacre, the investigation was said to have widened to also include other persons of interest.

Did Judge Gergel deny Roof's motion for a new trial?

On May 10, 2017 , Judge Gergel denied Roof's motion for a new trial. On the same day, Gergel unsealed psychiatric reports from two court-ordered exams of Roof performed by Dr. James Ballenger, a forensic psychiatrist, as well as the transcripts of two competency hearings, all of which found Roof competent to stand trial. The court first ordered a psychiatric exam after Roof wrote a letter to prosecutors referring to his defense attorneys as "the sneakiest group of people I have ever met" and adamantly rejecting their strategy to portray him as mentally ill.

Who prosecuted the Roof case?

Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers South Carolina, have recused themselves from hearing Roof’s appeal; one of their own, Judge Jay Richardson, prosecuted Roof’s case as an assistant U.S. Attorney.

Why did the trial judge give Roof his choice?

The only reason Roof shirked his trial team to represent himself, appellate attorney Alexandra Yates argued Tuesday, was because the trial judge gave him a choice: either keep his attorneys and allow in mental health evidence, or get rid of them and keep it out.

What is the 2255 appeal?

If unsuccessful in his direct appeal, Roof could file what’s known as a 2255 appeal, or a request that the trial court review the constitutionality of his conviction and sentence. He could also petition the U.S. Supreme Court or seek a presidential pardon. Advertisement. World & Nation.

Who was the first person to be sentenced to death for a hate crime?

That year, Roof became the first person in the U.S. sentenced to death for a federal hate crime. Authorities have said Roof opened fire during the closing prayer of a 2015 Bible study at Charleston’s Mother Emanuel AME Church, raining down dozens of bullets on those assembled. He was 21 years old at the time.

Who was the judge for the Roof trial?

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel held two competency hearings: one before the start of Roof’s trial, and one before sentencing, to determine if Roof could act as his own attorney for that trial portion.

Why did the trial judge give Roof his choice?

The only reason Roof shirked his trial team to represent himself, appellate attorney Alexandra Yates argued Tuesday, was because the trial judge gave him a choice: either keep his attorneys and allow in mental health evidence, or get rid of them and keep it out.

Who was the first person to be sentenced to death for a hate crime?

That year, Roof became the first person in the U.S. sentenced to death for a federal hate crime. Authorities have said Roof opened fire during the closing prayer of a 2015 Bible study at Charleston’s Mother Emanuel AME Church, raining down dozens of bullets on those assembled. He was 21 years old at the time.

Did Roof keep his mental health out of public record?

Representing himself for sentencing, Roof successfully prevented jurors from hearing evidence about his mental health, “under the delusion,” his attorneys have argued, that “he would be rescued from prison by white-nationalists — but only, bizarrely, if he kept his mental-impairments out of the public record.”.

Who was the Obama appointee who told the Roof trial?

While Gergel, an Obama appointee, told Roof during the trial that he thought it was “strategically unwise,” to represent himself, he added, “it is a decision you have a right to make.”. Roof’s lawyers first filed to appeal their client’s conviction and death sentence in January 2020, arguing in the 321-page document that Roof was a “22-year-old, ...

Is Dylann Roof free?

Roof is free to believe he will be rescued by racists from Planet Infinity. He is being punished for murdering Americans, not for what he believes. And he shouldn't get a pass for murdering based on those beliefs. Dylann Roof is a hero to the Trumpanzees.

Did Dylann Roof represent himself?

Lawyers argue 'delusional' Dylann Roof shouldn't have been allowed to represent himself. Attorneys for Dylann Roof, the self-proclaimed white supremacist who was sentenced to death for the 2015 murders of nine members of a Black South Carolina church, argued Tuesday that their client should not have been allowed to represent himself ...

How many life sentences did Michael Roof get?

Following his federal trial, Roof was given nine consecutive life sentences after pleading guilty in 2017 to state murder charges, leaving him to await execution in a federal prison and sparing his victims and their families the burden of a second trial.

Who is on death row for the murder of 9 people?

Dylann Roof is on federal death row for the 2015 slayings of nine people at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. In 2017, Roof became the first person in the U.S. sentenced to death for a federal hate crime. Authorities have said Roof opened fire during the closing prayer of a 2015 Bible study session at Charleston's Mother Emanuel AME Church.

Did Judge Richard Gergel hold competency hearings for Roof?

During his federal trial, U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel held two competency hearings for Roof: one before the start of his trial, and one before its sentencing phase, ...

Overview

Early life

Charleston church shooting

Manhunt and capture

Prosecution

2016 assault in prison

See also

External links