CHARLESTON–The federal government is seeking the death penalty in its case against Dylann Roof, who is accused of shooting and killing nine people at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston last June.
On Tuesday, Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch released the following statement regarding the United States v. Dylann Roof:
Following the department’s rigorous review process to thoroughly consider all relevant factual and legal issues, I have determined that the Justice Department will seek the death penalty. The nature of the alleged crime and the resulting harm compelled this decision.
The federal government has charged Roof with 33 counts, including for federal hate crimes, murder, attempted murder and firearms charges. All of the victims were black.
Last July, the Justice Department announced it would be charging Roof, and explained the process for determining if it would seek the death penalty:
The federal indictment returned today charges Roof with nine murders and three attempted murders under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This federal hate crimes law prohibits using a dangerous weapon to cause bodily injury, or attempting to do so, on the basis of race or color. The Shepard Byrd Act was enacted specifically to vindicate the unique harms caused by racially motivated violence.
Roof is also charged with nine murders and three attempted murders under a second federal hate crimes statute that prohibits the use or threat of force to obstruct any person’s free exercise of their religious beliefs.
Finally, Roof has been charged with multiple counts of using a firearm in the commission of these racially motivated murders and attempted murders.
For these crimes, Roof faces penalties of up to life imprisonment or the death penalty. No decision has been made on whether to seek the death penalty in this case. The department will follow our usual rigorous protocol to thoroughly consider all factual and legal issues relevant to that decision, which will necessarily involve counsel for the defendant Roof. In addition, consultation with the victims’ families is an important part of this decision making process and no decision will be made before conferring with them.
The South Carolina prosecutor arguing the state case already announced she would be seeking the death penalty for Roof last September.
The prosecutor had said at the time said her department intended to present evidence on Roof’s mental state, adult and juvenile criminal record and other conduct, as well as his apparent lack of remorse for the killings.
Additional reporting by the Associated Press.
