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He wasn't fully committed to the race war idea when I used the same interrogation footage source as someone else here. You can hear Roof's words directly so I will trust it. |
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| birth_name = Dylann Storm Roof
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|4|3}}
| birth_place = [[Columbia,
| death_date =
| death_place =
| other_names =
| occupation = Unemployed, former [[Landscaper]]
| years_active =
| motive = * [[White supremacy]]/[[white nationalism|nationalism]]
* [[neo-Nazism]]
* Desire to start a [[ethnic conflict|race war]]
* Belief in the [[white genocide conspiracy theory]]
| known_for = Perpetrator of the [[Charleston church shooting]]
| date = June 17, 2015
| time = {{Circa| 9:05 p.m.|
| targets = [[African-American]] churchgoers
| locations = [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]], [[South Carolina]], U.S.
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| notable_works =
| imprisoned = [[USP Terre Haute]]
| signature = Dylann Roof signature.png
}}
'''Dylann Storm Roof'''<ref name=":1">{{cite press release|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/attorney-general-lynch-statement-following-federal-grand-jury-indictment-against-dylann|title=Attorney General Lynch Statement Following the Federal Grand Jury Indictment Against Dylann Storm Roof|publisher=[[United States Department of Justice]]|date=July 22, 2015|access-date=December 15, 2016|archive-date=October 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017044522/https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/attorney-general-lynch-statement-following-federal-grand-jury-indictment-against-dylann|url-status=live}}</ref> (born April 3, 1994) is an American [[White supremacy|white supremacist]], [[Neo-Nazism|
*{{Cite
*{{Cite news|last=
*{{Cite news|last=
*{{Cite journal|last=Norris|first=Jesse J.|date=March 30, 2017|title=Why Dylann Roof Is a Terrorist under Federal Law, and Why It Matters|url=https://harvardjol.com/archive/volume-54-number-1/|journal=Harvard Journal on Legislation|publisher=[[Harvard University]]|location=Cambridge, Massachusetts|volume=54|issue=1|pages=501–541|via=}}
*{{Cite web|last=Ghansah|first=Rachel Kaadzi|date=August 11, 2017|title=A Most American Terrorist: The Making Of Dylann Roof|url=https://www.gq.com/story/dylann-roof-making-of-an-american-terrorist|access-date=January 27, 2021|website=[[GQ]]}}
*{{Cite news|last=McCord|first=Mary B.|date=August 21, 2017|title=Criminal Law Should Treat Domestic Terrorism as the Moral Equivalent of International Terrorism|work=Lawfare|url=https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/criminal-law-should-treat-domestic-terrorism-moral-equivalent-international-terrorism|access-date=|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911003900/https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/criminal-law-should-treat-domestic-terrorism-moral-equivalent-international-terrorism|url-status=live}}</ref>
Three days after the shooting, a website titled ''The Last Rhodesian'' was discovered and later confirmed by officials to be owned by Roof. The website contained photos of Roof posing with symbols of white supremacy and neo-Nazism, along with a manifesto in which he outlined his views toward [[Black people]], among other groups.<ref name=Robles20June/><ref name=Bernstein20June/> He also claimed in the manifesto to have developed his white supremacist views after reading about the 2012 [[killing of Trayvon Martin]] and [[Race and crime in the United States|Black-on-white crime]].
On December 15, 2016, Roof was convicted in [[Federal judiciary of the United States|federal court]] of all 33 federal charges (including [[Hate crime laws in the United States|hate crimes]]) against him stemming from the shooting; on January 11, 2017,<!--Date he was sentenced by judge--> he was sentenced to [[Capital punishment by the United States federal government|death]] for those crimes.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dylann Roof Gets Death Penalty For Racially Motivated Charleston Church Shooting|url=http://vanndigital.com/dylann-roof-gets-death-penalty-racially-motivated-charleston-church-shooting/|work=VannDigital|access-date=January 10, 2017|archive-date=January 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113000739/http://vanndigital.com/dylann-roof-gets-death-penalty-racially-motivated-charleston-church-shooting/|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 31, 2017, Roof agreed to plead guilty in [[South Carolina Circuit Court|South Carolina state court]] to all state charges pending against him—nine counts of murder, three counts of [[attempted murder]], and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony—to avoid a second death sentence. In return, he accepted a sentence of [[life imprisonment|life in prison]] without parole.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kinnard|first=Meg|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-dylann-roof-state-charges-20170331-story.html|title=Dylann Roof to plead guilty to state murder charges, avoiding second death penalty trial|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=March 31, 2017|access-date=March 31, 2017|archive-date=March 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331183335/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-dylann-roof-state-charges-20170331-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 10, 2017, Roof was sentenced to nine consecutive sentences of life without parole after formally pleading guilty to state murder charges.<ref name="StateTrialSentence1">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/apr/10/charleston-church-shooter-dylann-roof-pleads-guilty-murder-charges|title=Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof pleads guilty to state murder charges|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 10, 2017|access-date=April 11, 2017|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210319160158/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/apr/10/charleston-church-shooter-dylann-roof-pleads-guilty-murder-charges|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="StateTrialSentence2">{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Miczek|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dylann-roof-charleston-church-shooter-pleads-guilty-state-charges-n744746|title=Dylann Roof: Charleston Church Shooter Gets Nine Life Sentences in State Case|work=[[NBC News]]|agency=[[Reuters]]|date=April 10, 2017|access-date=April 11, 2017|archive-date=May 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512092137/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dylann-roof-charleston-church-shooter-pleads-guilty-state-charges-n744746|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="StateTrialSentence3">{{cite news|first=Meg|last=Kinnard|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-charleston-church-shooter-pleads-guilty-20170410-story.html|title=Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof pleads guilty, awaits execution|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 10, 2017|access-date=April 11, 2017|archive-date=February 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214193533/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-charleston-church-shooter-pleads-guilty-20170410-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=United States v. Roof, 252 F. Supp. 3d 469 {{!}} Casetext Search + Citator |url=https://casetext.com/case/united-states-v-roof-6 |access-date=March 1, 2022 |website=casetext.com |archive-date=March 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301194746/https://casetext.com/case/united-states-v-roof-6 |url-status=live }}</ref> He is currently awaiting execution on [[death row]] at [[United States Penitentiary, Terre Haute|USP Terre Haute]].
==Early life==
Roof was born in [[Columbia, South Carolina]], to Franklin Bennett Roof (nicknamed Benn), a carpenter and a construction contractor,<ref>{{Cite news|first=Kevin|last=Wadlow|url=http://www.flkeysnews.com/news/article79615597.html|title=Charleston shooter Roof left little fingerprint on the Keys|work=Florida Keys News|date=June 27, 2015|access-date=May 7, 2017|archive-date=March 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302203144/http://www.flkeysnews.com/news/article79615597.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and Amelia "Amy" Cowles, a bartender. His parents had divorced but were temporarily reconciled at the time of his birth. When Roof was five,<ref name="RoofPast"/> his father married Paige Mann (née Hastings) in November 1999; they divorced after 10 years of marriage.
According to a 2009 [[affidavit]] filed for Mann's divorce, Roof exhibited "[[obsessive compulsive]] behavior" as he grew up, [[Mysophobia|obsessing over germs]] and insisting on having his hair cut in a certain style.<ref name="SuspectLife"/> When he was in middle school, he started smoking [[Cannabis (drug)|marijuana]]
In nine years, Roof attended at least seven schools in two South Carolina counties, including [[White Knoll High School]] in [[Lexington, South Carolina|Lexington]], in which he repeated the ninth grade, finishing it in another school. He
Prior to the attack, Roof was living alternately in Bennett's and Cowles' homes in downtown Columbia and [[Hopkins, South Carolina|Hopkins]], respectively,<ref name="WhatIf"/><ref name="RoofFriend">{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us
His maternal uncle, Carson Cowles, said that he expressed concern about the [[social withdrawal]] of his then-19-year-old nephew, because "he still didn't have a job, a driver's license or anything like that and he just stayed in his room a lot of the time."<ref name=SMH>{{cite web|first1=Emily|last1=Flitter|first2=Jonathan|last2=Allen|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/south-carolina-massacre-suspect-dylann-roof-had-apparent-interest-in-white-supremacy-20150618-ghrtrg.html|title=South Carolina massacre suspect Dylann Roof had apparent interest in white supremacy|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=June 19, 2015|archive-date=January 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131145903/http://www.smh.com.au/world/south-carolina-massacre-suspect-dylann-roof-had-apparent-interest-in-white-supremacy-20150618-ghrtrg.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Cowles said he tried to mentor Roof, but Roof rejected his attempts to help and they drifted apart.<ref name=SMH/> According to Mann, Roof cut off all contact with her after her divorce from his father. When his sister planned to be married, he did not respond to her invitation to the event.<ref name="DifficultFamily"/><ref name="TroubledLife"/>
A former high school classmate said that despite Roof's racist comments, some of his friends in school were Black.<ref name="ContradictionsMan">{{cite web|first1=John M.
===Earlier contacts with police===
Roof had a prior police record consisting of two arrests, both made in the months preceding the attack. He was investigated on one occasion during this period but without arrest or charge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kfor.com/2015/06/18/dylann-storm-roof-arrested-in-north-carolina-according-to-report/|title=Dylann Storm Roof arrested in North Carolina|work=[[KFOR-TV|KFOR]]|date=June 18, 2015|access-date=June 18, 2015|archive-date=November 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113214514/http://kfor.com/2015/06/18/dylann-storm-roof-arrested-in-north-carolina-according-to-report/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Old|first1=Jason|title=Police: Dylann Roof arrested for trespassing, drug possession at Columbiana Centre|url=http://www.wistv.com/story/29353220/police-dylann-roof-arrested-for-trespassing-drug-possession-at-columbiana-centre|website=WISTV.com|date=June 18, 2015|access-date=June 18, 2015|archive-date=November 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114235616/http://www.wistv.com/story/29353220/police-dylann-roof-arrested-for-trespassing-drug-possession-at-columbiana-centre|url-status=live}}</ref>
On February 28, 2015, mall security at the [[Columbiana Centre]] in [[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia]] called police after Roof, wearing all-black clothing, asked employees unsettling questions. During police questioning, Roof consented to be searched, and was found to be in possession of several [[blister pack|strip]]s of [[Suboxone]], a prescription medication for [[opioid use disorder]] which is sometimes sold illegally, but usually for therapeutic rather than recreational use.<ref name="ContradictionsMan"/><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chilcoat |first1=Howard D. |last2=Amick |first2=Halle R. |last3=Sherwood |first3=Molly R. |last4=Dunn |first4=Kelly E. |date=September 2019 |title=Buprenorphine in the United States: Motives for abuse, misuse, and diversion |journal=Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment |language=en |volume=104 |pages=148–157 |doi=10.1016/j.jsat.2019.07.005|pmid=31370979 |s2cid=199034029 |doi-access=free }}</ref> As Roof did not have a valid prescription, he was arrested for a misdemeanor charge of drug possession, and was subsequently banned from the Columbiana Centre for a year.<ref name="ContradictionsMan"/><ref name="Symbols">{{cite news|first1=Frances|last1=Robles|first2=Jason|last2=Horowitz|first3=Shaila|last3=Dewan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/us/on-facebook-dylann-roof-charleston-suspect-wears-symbols-of-white-supremacy.html|title=Dylann Roof, Suspect in Charleston Shooting, Flew the Flags of White Power|date=June 18, 2015|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=August 6, 2018|archive-date=October 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026054337/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/us/on-facebook-dylann-roof-charleston-suspect-wears-symbols-of-white-supremacy.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
On March 13, 2015, Roof was investigated for loitering in his parked car near a park in downtown Columbia. He had been recognized by an off-duty police officer who investigated his March 2 questioning; the officer then called a colleague to investigate. A police officer conducted a search of his vehicle and found a forearm grip for an [[AR-15]] [[semiautomatic rifle]] and six unloaded [[Magazine (firearms)|magazines]], all capable of holding 40 rounds. When asked about it, Roof informed the officer that he wanted to purchase an AR-15, but did not have enough money to do so. He was not charged, as it was [[Gun laws in South Carolina|not illegal in South Carolina]] to possess a forearm grip.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article25533301.html|title=Exclusive: Was accused SC racial church killer Roof planning bigger death spree?|work=The State|date=June 25, 2015|access-date=June 26, 2015|first=John|last=Monk|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202084800/http://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article25533301.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/27/us/dylann-roof-was-questioned-by-police-in-march-record-shows.html|title=Dylann Roof Had AR-15 Parts During Police Stop in March, Record Shows|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 26, 2015|access-date=June 26, 2015|first=Frances|last=Robles|archive-date=July 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730223148/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/27/us/dylann-roof-was-questioned-by-police-in-march-record-shows.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
On April 26, 2015, Roof was arrested again for trespassing on the Columbiana Centre mall's grounds in violation of the ban. The ban was then extended for three additional years.<ref name="TroubledLife"/><ref name="ContradictionsMan"/><ref name="TroubledPast"/>
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{{Main|Charleston church shooting}}
[[File:Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church Corrected.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church]]]]
On the evening of June 17, 2015, a mass shooting took place at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown [[Charleston, South Carolina]], United States. During a routine [[Bible study (Christian)|Bible study]] at the church, a white man about 21 years old, later identified as Roof, opened fire with a handgun, killing nine people.<ref name="ChillingCase">{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/06/19/dylann-roof-charleston-police-charged--murder-black-church/28975573/|title=Affidavits spell out chilling case against Dylann Roof|work=[[USA Today]]|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=June 19, 2015|first1=Yamiche|last1=Alcindor|first2=Doug|last2=Stanglin|archive-date=March 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322194004/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/06/19/dylann-roof-charleston-police-charged--murder-black-church/28975573/|url-status=live}}</ref> Roof was unemployed<ref name="ForgiveYou">{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/familes-of-charleston-church-shooting-victims-to-dylann-roof--we--forgive-you-185833509.html|title=Families of Charleston shooting victims to Dylann Roof: We forgive you|work=[[Yahoo! News]]|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=June 19, 2015|first=Dylan|last=Stableford|archive-date=June 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620022751/http://news.yahoo.com/familes-of-charleston-church-shooting-victims-to-dylann-roof--we--forgive-you-185833509.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and living in largely African-American [[Eastover, South Carolina|Eastover]] at the time of the attack.<ref name="WashingtonPost-SuspectCaptured-2015">{{cite news|first1=Robert|last1=Costa|first2=Lindsey|last2=Bever|first3=J.|last3=Freedom du Lac|first4=Sari|last4=Horwitz|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/06/17/white-gunman-sought-in-shooting-at-historic-charleston-african-ame-church/|title=Church shooting suspect Dylann Roof captured amid hate crime investigation|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=June 18, 2015|access-date=June 18, 2015|archive-date=February 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226144707/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/06/17/white-gunman-sought-in-shooting-at-historic-charleston-african-ame-church/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Motivation===
According to a childhood friend, Roof went on a rant about the killing of Trayvon Martin and the [[2015 Baltimore protests]] that were sparked by the [[death of Freddie Gray]] while Gray was in police custody.<ref name="TroubledPast">{{cite web|first=Erik|last=Ortiz|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/dylann-roof-suspected-charleston-church-shooting-gunman-has-troubled-past-n377686|title=Dylann Roof, Suspected Charleston Church Shooting Gunman Has Troubled Past|work=[[NBC News]]|date=June 18, 2015|access-date=June 18, 2015|archive-date=January 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131150106/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/dylann-roof-suspected-charleston-church-shooting-gunman-has-troubled-past-n377686|url-status=live}}</ref> He also often claimed that "Blacks were taking over the world".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/dylann-roof-obsessed-trayvon-martin-white-race-article-1.2263647|title=Dylann Roof was obsessed with Trayvon Martin, wanted to save the 'white race': friend|work=[[The New York Daily News]]|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=June 19, 2015|first=Jason|last=Silverstein|archive-date=August 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817114352/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/dylann-roof-obsessed-trayvon-martin-white-race-article-1.2263647|url-status=live}}</ref> Roof reportedly told friends and neighbors of his plans to kill people, including a plot to attack the [[College of Charleston]], but his claims were not taken seriously.<ref name="RacialMotivation?">{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/charleston-shooting-racial-motivation-dylann-storm-roof-told-black-neighbor-he-1974050|title=Charleston Shooting Racial Motivation? Dylann Storm Roof Told Black Neighbor He Planned On Killing|work=[[International Business Times]]|date=June 18, 2015|access-date=June 18, 2015|first=Clark|last=Mindock|archive-date=August 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816151008/http://www.ibtimes.com/charleston-shooting-racial-motivation-dylann-storm-roof-told-black-neighbor-he-1974050|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RoofFriend"/>
One image from his [[Facebook]] page showed him wearing a jacket decorated with two obsolete flags used as emblems among American [[white supremacist]] movements, those of [[Rhodesia]] (present-day [[Zimbabwe]]) and [[Apartheid|apartheid-era]] South Africa.<ref name="Symbols"/><ref name="nyt-ccs">{{cite web|first1=Nick|last1=Corasaniti|first2=Richard|last2=Pérez-Peña|first3=Lizette|last3=Alvarez|title=Charleston Church Shooting Suspect, Dylann Storm Roof, Is Captured|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/us/charleston-church-shooting.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 18, 2015|access-date=June 18, 2015|archive-date=November 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107192219/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/us/charleston-church-shooting.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dailybeast">{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2015/06/18/charleston-suspect-is-dylann-roof.html|title=Everything Known About Charleston Church Shooting Suspect Dylann Roof|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=June 18, 2015|access-date=June 18, 2015|archive-date=May 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517081215/http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2015/06/18/charleston-suspect-is-dylann-roof.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Another online photo showed Roof sitting on the hood of his car with an ornamental license plate with a [[Flags of the Confederate States of America|Confederate flag]] on it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/suspected-charleston-church-shooter-gun-birthday-article-1.2262393|title=Dylann Storm Roof bragged about plans to 'kill a bunch of people' week before Charleston church shooting|work=[[The New York Daily News]]|date=June 18, 2015|access-date=June 18, 2015|first1=Rachelle|last1=Blidner|first2=Meg|last2=Wagner|archive-date=February 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226142346/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/suspected-charleston-church-shooter-gun-birthday-article-1.2262393|url-status=live}}</ref> According to his roommate, Roof expressed his support for [[racial segregation in the United States]] and had wanted to start a civil war.<ref>{{cite web|first=Emily|last=Shapiro|url=https://gma.yahoo.com/charleston-shooting-closer-look-alleged-gunman-dylann-roof-203816813--abc-news-topstories.html|title=Charleston Shooting: A Closer Look at Alleged Gunman Dylann Roof|work=[[Yahoo! News]]|date=June 18, 2015|access-date=June 18, 2015|archive-date=January 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118163921/https://gma.yahoo.com/charleston-shooting-closer-look-alleged-gunman-dylann-roof-203816813--abc-news-topstories.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
One of the friends who briefly hid Roof's gun away from him said, "I don't think the church was his primary target because he told us he was going for the school. But I think he couldn't get into the school because of the security ... so I think he just settled for the church."<ref name=Weiss/><ref>{{cite web|first=Charlotte|last=Krol|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11688181/Dylann-Roofs-friend-Charleston-church-wasnt-primary-target.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620145326/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11688181/Dylann-Roofs-friend-Charleston-church-wasnt-primary-target.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 20, 2015|title=Dylann Roof's friend: Charleston church 'wasn't primary target'|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=June 20, 2015|access-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref> An African-American friend of his said that he never witnessed Roof expressing any racial prejudice, but also said that a week before the shooting, Roof had confided in him that he would commit a shooting at the college.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dylann Roof's friend: 'He never said anything racist'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-33209654|access-date=June 20, 2015|work=[[BBC News]]|date=June 20, 2015}}</ref>
On the day he was captured (June 18, 2015), Roof confessed to committing the Charleston attack with the intention of starting a race war,<ref name="RaceWar">{{cite web|last1=Payne|first1=Ed|
Federal prosecutors said in August 2016 that Roof was "self-radicalized" online, instead of adopting his white supremacist ideology "through his personal associations or experiences with white supremacist groups or individuals or others".<ref name="WashPost.Self">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/08/22/prosecutors-say-accused-charleston-church-gunman-self-radicalized-online/|title=Prosecutors say Dylann Roof 'self-radicalized' online, wrote another manifesto in jail|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=August 23, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016|first=Mark|last=Berman|archive-date=October 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016150714/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/08/22/prosecutors-say-accused-charleston-church-gunman-self-radicalized-online/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Yahoo.Entrenched">{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/feds-church-shooting-suspect-entrenched-beliefs-114157914.html|title=Feds: Church shooting suspect entrenched in his beliefs|website=[[Yahoo! News]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=August 23, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016|first=Meg|last=Kinnard|archive-date=August 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824093818/https://www.yahoo.com/news/feds-church-shooting-suspect-entrenched-beliefs-114157914.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
====Website and handwritten documents====
On June 20, 2015, a website that had been registered to a Dylann Roof on February 9, 2015, ''lastrhodesian.com'', was discovered.<ref name=Robles20June/> Though the identity of the domain's owner was intentionally masked the day after it was registered,<ref name=Robles20June/> law enforcement officials confirmed Roof as the owner.<ref name=Bernstein20June/> The site included a cache of photos of Roof posing with a handgun and a [[Flags of the Confederate States of America#Battle flag|Confederate Battle Flag]], as well as with the widely recognized [[neo-Nazi]] code numbers [[88 (number)#In white nationalism|88]] (an abbreviation for the salute [[Nazi salute|''"Heil Hitler!"'']]) and [[Fourteen Words|1488]], written in sand.<ref name=Robles20June/><ref name=Bernstein20June/> Roof was also seen spitting on and burning an [[American flag]].<ref name=Robles20June/> While some photographs seemed to show Roof at home in his room, others were taken on an apparent tour of slavery-related historical sites in North and South Carolina, including [[Sullivan's Island, South Carolina|Sullivan's Island]], the largest slave disembarkation port in North America, four former plantations, two cemeteries (one for white Confederate soldiers, the other for slaves), and the Museum and Library of Confederate History in [[Greenville, South Carolina|Greenville]].<ref name=Robles20June/><ref name=Lewis21June/><ref name=Tucker1July>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/07/01/dylann-roofs-eerie-tour-of-american-slavery-at-its-beginning-middle-and-end/|first1=Neely|last1=Tucker|first2=Peter|last2=Holley|title=Dylann Roof's eerie tour of American slavery at its beginning, middle and end|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=July 1, 2015|access-date=July 1, 2015|archive-date=March 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302194400/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/07/01/dylann-roofs-eerie-tour-of-american-slavery-at-its-beginning-middle-and-end/|url-status=live}}</ref> Roof is believed to have taken self-portraits using a timer, and staff members working at the sites did not remember his visits.<ref name=Tucker1July/>
The website also contained an unsigned, 2,444-word manifesto apparently authored by Roof,<ref>Roof, Dylann Storm (2015). ''rtf88.txt'', lastrhodesian.com. [https://web.archive.org/web/20150620182210/http://lastrhodesian.com/data/documents/rtf88.txt Archived] from [http://lastrhodesian.com/data/documents/rtf88.txt the original], viewed July 30, 2020</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Dylan Roof: Experts believe Charleston shooting suspect was author of racist manifesto and 'self-radicalised' online|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/dylan-roof-experts-believe-charleston-shooting-suspect-was-author-of-racist-manifesto-and-selfradicalised-online-10353971.html|work=[[The Independent]]|date=June 29, 2015|access-date=June 30, 2015|first=Andrew|last=Buncombe|archive-date=July 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702033319/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/dylan-roof-experts-believe-charleston-shooting-suspect-was-author-of-racist-manifesto-and-selfradicalised-online-10353971.html|url-status=live}}</ref> in which he outlined his opinions, all methodically broken into the following sections: "[[Black people|Blacks]]", "[[Jews]]", "[[Hispanic]]s", "[[East Asians]]", "[[Patriotism]]", and "An Explanation":<ref name=Lewis21June>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/20/dylann-roof-fbi-website-manifesto-charleston-shooting|title=Dylann Roof: FBI probes manifesto and website linked to Charleston suspect|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=June 21, 2015|access-date=June 21, 2015|first1=Paul|last1=Lewis|first2=Amanda|last2=Holpuch|first3=Jessica|last3=Glenza|archive-date=October 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007043425/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/20/dylann-roof-fbi-website-manifesto-charleston-shooting|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|1=I have no choice. I am not in the position to, alone, go into the ghetto and fight. I chose Charleston because it is [the] most historic city in my state, and at one time had the highest ratio of blacks to Whites in the country. We have no [[White power skinhead|skinheads]], no real [[KKK]], no one doing anything but talking on the internet. Well someone has to have the bravery to take it to the real world, and I guess that has to be me.<ref name=Robles20June>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/21/us/dylann-storm-roof-photos-website-charleston-church-shooting.html|title=Dylann Storm Roof Photos Found on Website|last=Robles|first=Francis|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 20, 2015|access-date=June 20, 2015|archive-date=October 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009032648/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/21/us/dylann-storm-roof-photos-website-charleston-church-shooting.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
The manifesto states that its author was "truly awakened" by coverage of the killing of Trayvon Martin:
{{blockquote|I read the [[Wikipedia]] article and right away I was unable to understand what the big deal was. It was obvious that [[George Zimmerman|Zimmerman]] was in the right. But more importantly this prompted me to type in the words "black on white crime" into [[Google]], and I have never been the same since that day. The first website I came to was the [[Council of Conservative Citizens]]. There were pages upon pages of these brutal black on white murders. I was in disbelief. At this moment I realized that something was very wrong. How could the news be blowing up the Trayvon Martin case while hundreds of these black on white murders got ignored?<ref name=Robles20June/><ref name=Bernstein20June>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/authorities-investigate-whether-racist-manifesto-was-written-by-sc-gunman/2015/06/20/f0bd3052-1762-11e5-9ddc-e3353542100c_story.html|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=June 20, 2015|access-date=June 20, 2015|title=Charleston shooting suspect left racist manifesto on Web site, authorities say|last1=Bernstein|first1=Lenny|last2=Horwitz|first2=Sari|archive-date=March 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302194047/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/authorities-investigate-whether-racist-manifesto-was-written-by-sc-gunman/2015/06/20/f0bd3052-1762-11e5-9ddc-e3353542100c_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Alexander22June>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/republicans/11690736/Republican-presidential-candidates-received-donations-from-man-who-inspired-Charleston-shooter.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/republicans/11690736/Republican-presidential-candidates-received-donations-from-man-who-inspired-Charleston-shooter.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=June 22, 2015|access-date=June 22, 2015|first=Harriet|last=Alexander|title=Republican candidates accepted donations from man whose organisation inspired Dylann Roof}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2015/6/20/8818389/dylann-roof-manifesto|work=[[Vox.com]]|title=Charleston Shooter Dylann Roof's apparent manifesto surfaces|last=Yglesias|first=Matthew|date=June 20, 2015|access-date=June 20, 2015|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911003902/https://www.vox.com/2015/6/20/8818389/dylann-roof-manifesto|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
The manifesto also mentioned the [[Northwest Front]], a [[Seattle]]-based white supremacist organization.<ref name="PreviewAttractions">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/28/harold-covington-northwest-front-dylann-roof-manifesto-charleston-shooting|title=White supremacist calls Charleston 'a preview of coming attractions'|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=June 28, 2015|access-date=June 28, 2015|first=Sam|last=Thielman|archive-date=November 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108144508/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/28/harold-covington-northwest-front-dylann-roof-manifesto-charleston-shooting|url-status=live}}</ref>
According to web server logs, Roof's website was last modified at 4:44 p.m. on June{{nbs}}17, 2015, when Roof noted, "[A]t the time of [this] writing I am in a great hurry."<ref name=Robles20June/>
According to court documents filed in August 2016, Roof drafted two other manifestos, one in 2015 and the other in jail, recovered from his vehicle and jail cell, respectively. He also made a list of churches and a "selection of victims", along with other writings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/22/us/dylann-roof-court-documents/|title=Dylann Roof case: New court documents reveal more details, feds say|work=[[CNN]]|date=August 23, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016|first1=Dave|last1=Alsup|first2=Azadeh|last2=Ansari|archive-date=August 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824141618/http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/22/us/dylann-roof-court-documents/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="PostandCourier.Penned">{{cite web|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/20160822/160829824/feds-self-radicalized-before-attack-dylann-roof-penned-another-manifesto-in-jail|title=Feds: 'Self-radicalized' before attack, Dylann Roof penned another manifesto in jail|work=[[The Post and Courier]]|date=August 23, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016|first=Andrew|last=Knapp|archive-date=August 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824032204/http://www.postandcourier.com/20160822/160829824/feds-self-radicalized-before-attack-dylann-roof-penned-another-manifesto-in-jail|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2016/08/23/Dylann-Roof-wrote-racist-manifesto-in-jail-after-Charleston-church-shooting/1891471947009/|title=Dylann Roof wrote racist manifesto in jail after Charleston church shooting|agency=[[United Press International|UPI]]|date=August 23, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016|first=Andrew V.|last=Pestano|archive-date=January 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111083105/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2016/08/23/Dylann-Roof-wrote-racist-manifesto-in-jail-after-Charleston-church-shooting/1891471947009/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Weapon purchase and FBI lapse===
Roof purchased the gun used in the shooting from a retail gun store in West Columbia,<ref name="CNN-Glock41-2015">{{cite web|first1=Pete|last1=Williams|first2=Mark
One week prior to the shooting, two of his friends tried to hide the gun after Roof claimed he was going to kill people. They returned it to him after the girlfriend of one of the friends, in whose trailer they hid the gun, pointed out that her boyfriend was on [[probation]] and needed to have the gun out of his possession.<ref name="RoofFriend"/><ref name=Weiss>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2015/06/20/man-accused-of-church-killings-spoke-of-attacking-college|title=Man accused of church killings spoke of attacking college|work=[[USA Today]]|date=June 20, 2015|access-date=April 7, 2021|first1=Mitch|last1=Weiss|first2=Michael|last2=Biesecker|archive-date=March 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302200115/https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2015/06/20/man-accused-of-church-killings-spoke-of-attacking-college|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Prior to the shooting===
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,<ref name=Schmidt3July>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/04/us/dylann-roof-was-in-contact-with-supremacists-officials-say.html|title=Charleston Suspect Was In Touch With Supremacists, Officials Say|date=July 3, 2015|access-date=July 3, 2015|first=Michael S.|last=Schmidt|authorlink=Michael S. Schmidt|work=[[The New York Times]]|archive-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808105743/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/04/us/dylann-roof-was-in-contact-with-supremacists-officials-say.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the investigation was said to have widened to also include other persons of interest.<ref name=Monk2July>{{cite news|url=http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article26200726.html|first=John|last=Monk|date=July 2, 2015|access-date=July 3, 2015|title=Exclusive: Charges possible against church shooter's associates|work=[[The State (newspaper)|The State]]|archive-date=January 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123220558/http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article26200726.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Reaction by white supremacists===
Although the Council of Conservative Citizens took down its website on June 20 in the immediate wake of negative publicity,<ref name=Lewis21June/> its president, [[Earl Holt]], stated that the organization was "hardly responsible" for Roof's actions.<ref name=Alexander22June/> The organization also issued a statement saying that Roof had some "legitimate grievances" against Black people and that the group's website "accurately and honestly report[s] black-on-white violent crime".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/ccc-dylann-roof-legitimate-grievances|work=[[Talking Points Memo]]|last=Thompson|first=Catherine|title=Group That May Have Influenced Charleston Killer: He Had Some 'Legitimate Grievances'|date=June 22, 2015|access-date=July 4, 2015|archive-date=March 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307015512/http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/ccc-dylann-roof-legitimate-grievances|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Harold Covington]], the founder of the Northwest Front, also condemned Roof's actions, but called the attack "a preview of coming attractions".<ref name="PreviewAttractions"/>
Through analysis of his manifesto, the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] alleged that Roof was a reader and commenter on ''[[The Daily Stormer]]'', a
A neo-Nazi group named itself the "Bowl Patrol" after Roof's "[[Bowl cut|bowl-cut]]" hairstyle. The group remained active as of a July 2020 exposé in the ''[[Huffington Post]]'', five years after the Charleston church shooting.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Murdock|first1=Sebastian|last2=Mathias|first2=Christopher|date=July 24, 2020|title=Exclusive: Leader Of Dylann Roof-Worshipping Neo-Nazi Group Exposed|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dylann-roof-neo-nazi-group-exposed_n_5f19c94cc5b6128e6822947d|access-date=July 24, 2020|website=[[Huffington Post]]|archive-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724201957/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dylann-roof-neo-nazi-group-exposed_n_5f19c94cc5b6128e6822947d|url-status=live}}</ref>
Brenton Tarrant, who committed the [[Christchurch mosque shootings]] in New Zealand, highlighted Roof as an influence in his manifesto.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dafinger |first1=Johannes |last2=Florin |first2=Moritz |title=A Transnational History of Right Wing Terrorism: Political Violence and the Far Right in Eastern and Western Europe since 1900 |date=2022 |publisher=Routledge |location=United Kingdom|pages=220}}</ref> Three years later, the perpetrator of the [[2022 Buffalo shooting]], Payton Gendron, also referred to Roof in his manifesto as an inspiration and wrote Roof's name on one of his guns.
==Manhunt and capture==
The attack was treated as a hate crime by police, and officials from the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] (FBI) were called in to assist in the investigation and manhunt.<ref name="ChillingCase"/><ref name="EverythingKnown">{{cite magazine|first=Tara|last=Berenson|url=
At 10:44 a.m., on the morning after the attack, Roof was captured in a traffic stop in Shelby, North Carolina, approximately {{convert|245|mi}} from the shooting scene. A .45-caliber pistol was found in the car during the arrest, though it was not immediately apparent if it was the same one used in the attack.<ref name="WISTV-RoofCustody-2015">{{cite news |title= Charleston church shooting suspect Dylann Roof in custody in NC |date= June 18, 2015 |work= [[WIS (TV)|WIS]] |publisher= WorldNow and WISTV |url= http://www.wistv.com/story/29351540/charleston-shooting-suspect-from-columbia-area |access-date= June 18, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170131150034/http://www.wistv.com/story/29351540/charleston-shooting-suspect-from-columbia-area |archive-date= January 31, 2017 |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=Ralph|last1=Ellis|first2=Ed|last2=Payne|first3=Evan|last3=Perez|first4=Dana|last4=Ford|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/18/us/charleston-south-carolina-shooting/index.html|title=Shooting suspect in custody after Charleston church massacre|work=[[CNN]]|date=June 18, 2015|access-date=June 18, 2015|archive-date=March 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302063919/http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/18/us/charleston-south-carolina-shooting/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Police received a tip-off from a driver, Debbie Dills, from [[Gastonia, North Carolina]]. She recognized Roof driving his car, a black [[Hyundai Elantra]] with South Carolina license plates and a three-flag [[Flags of the Confederate States of America|"Confederate States of America"]] bumper decoration,<ref name=Safi19June>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/19/charleston-shooting-florist-debbie-dills-hailed-a-hero-after-tailing-suspects-car|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=June 18, 2015|access-date=June 19, 2015|first=Michael|last=Safi|title=Charleston shooting: florist Debbie Dills hailed a hero after tailing suspect's car|archive-date=March 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303043606/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/19/charleston-shooting-florist-debbie-dills-hailed-a-hero-after-tailing-suspects-car|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Cush18June>{{cite news|url=http://gawker.com/dylann-roofs-car-like-s-c-statehouse-flies-a-confede-1712288717 |work=[[Gawker]] |title=Dylann Roof's car, like S.C. Statehouse, flies a Confederate Flag |first=Andy |last=Cush |date=June 18, 2015 |access-date=June 19, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619134327/http://gawker.com/dylann-roofs-car-like-s-c-statehouse-flies-a-confede-1712288717 |archive-date=June 19, 2015 }}</ref> on [[U.S. Route 74]], recalling security camera images taken at the church and distributed to the media. She later recalled: "I got closer and saw that haircut. I was nervous. I had the worst feeling. Is that him or not him?" She called her employer, who contacted local police, and then tailed the suspect's car for {{convert|35|mi}} until she was certain authorities were moving in for an arrest.<ref name=ShelbyStar>{{cite news|first=Gabe|last=Whisnant|url=http://www.shelbystar.com/news/local/breaking-tip-from-kings-mountain-florists-led-to-charleston-shooting-suspect-s-arrest-1.492375|title=Tip from Kings Mountain florists led to Charleston shooting suspect's arrest|date=June 18, 2015|access-date=June 18, 2015|work=[[Shelby Star]]|archive-date=June 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619045710/http://www.shelbystar.com/news/local/breaking-tip-from-kings-mountain-florists-led-to-charleston-shooting-suspect-s-arrest-1.492375|url-status=dead}}</ref> His older half-sister also reported him to the police after seeing his photo on the news.<ref name="HomeDestroyed">{{cite web|first=Ginger Adams|last=Otis|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/dylann-roof-raised-home-destroyed-violence-reports-article-1.2264715|title=Accused Charleston shooter Dylann Roof was raised in home destroyed by domestic violence: reports|work=[[The New York Daily News]]|date=June 20, 2015|access-date=June 20, 2015|archive-date=March 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301051623/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/dylann-roof-raised-home-destroyed-violence-reports-article-1.2264715|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="washingtonpost20150618">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/accused-killer-in-sc-slayings-described-as-a-quiet-loner/2015/06/18/a4127390-15d0-11e5-89f3-61410da94eb1_story.html|title=For accused killer Dylann Roof, a life that had quietly drifted off track|first=Jeremy|last=Borden|date=June 18, 2015|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=June 20, 2015|archive-date=November 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116192531/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/accused-killer-in-sc-slayings-described-as-a-quiet-loner/2015/06/18/a4127390-15d0-11e5-89f3-61410da94eb1_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Roof was arrested and was [[interrogation|interrogated]] by agents of the FBI. He stated that he was planning to travel to [[Nashville, Tennessee]] when he was arrested in Shelby.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article24952345.html|title=Shelby police chief describes arrest of Charleston shooting suspect|work=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=June 24, 2015|first1=Andrew|last1=Dunn|first2=Mark|last2=Washburn|first3=Michael|last3=Gordon|archive-date=February 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213004604/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article24952345.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Roof initially did not believe his interrogators when they informed him that the death toll of his attack was nine people, believing that the number of casualties was lower, saying he felt "bad" after learning the true number.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUssg5WKNg8&t=2407s|title=⭕Dylann Roof - Full Length Police Interrogation - Nine counts of murder|work=YouTube|date=June 18, 2015|access-date=June 2, 2021|archive-date=June 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602221331/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUssg5WKNg8&t=2407s|url-status=live}}</ref> When asked if he believes that his actions would start a revolution, implying that it would start a race war, he dismissed
==Prosecution==
{{Main|Trial of Dylann Roof}}
On the evening of June 18, 2015, Roof waived his extradition rights and was flown to Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in [[North Charleston, South Carolina|North Charleston]].<ref name="WashingtonPost-SuspectCaptured-2015"/><ref name="BroughtBack">{{cite web|last1=Horowitz|first1=Jason|last2=Corasaniti|first2=Nick|last3=Pérez-Peña|first3=Richard
===State prosecution===
On June 19, 2015, Roof was charged with nine counts of murder and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.<ref name="RoofConfessed">{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/dylann-roof-confessed-killing-people-charleston-church-source/story?id=31884893|title=Dylann Roof's Father Called Cops After Seeing Suspect's Photos, Warrant Says|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=June 19, 2015|first1=Josh|last1=Margolin|first2=Emily|last2=Shapiro|archive-date=June 19, 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150619165809/http://abcnews.go.com/US/dylann-roof-confessed-killing-people-charleston-church-source/story?id=31884893|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/charleston-shooting-live-suspect-dylann-roof-in-custody-as-us-mourns-church-massacre--live-updates-10330694.html|title=Charleston shooting: From 'liking a woman who dated a black man' to a 'fan of white power music' – insight into Dylann Roof's life emerges|work=[[The Independent]]|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=June 19, 2015|first1=Lizzie|last1=Dearden|first2=Payton|last2=Guion|archive-date=June 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619175407/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/charleston-shooting-live-suspect-dylann-roof-in-custody-as-us-mourns-church-massacre--live-updates-10330694.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He first appeared in Charleston County court by video conference at a bond hearing later that day. At the hearing, shooting survivors and relatives of five of the victims spoke to Roof directly, saying that they were "praying for his soul" and forgave him.<ref name="ChillingCase"/><ref name="ForgiveYou"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/dylann-roof-almost-didnt-go-through-charleston-church-shooting-n378341|title=Dylann Roof 'Almost Didn't Go Through' With Charleston Church Shooting|work=[[NBC News]]|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=June 19, 2015|first=Daniel|last=Arkin|archive-date=June 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619132528/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/dylann-roof-almost-didnt-go-through-charleston-church-shooting-n378341|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="VictimsAddress">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/06/19/i-forgive-you-relatives-of-charleston-church-victims-address-dylann-roof/|title='I forgive you.' Relatives of Charleston church shooting victims address Dylann Roof|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=June 19, 2015|first=Mark|last=Berman|archive-date=March 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303042915/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/06/19/i-forgive-you-relatives-of-charleston-church-victims-address-dylann-roof/|url-status=live}}</ref> Governor [[Nikki Haley]] called for prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Roof.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2015/06/19/the-latest-church-shooting-haley-calls-for-death-penalty/Sd50001xUfcaWDV1XdZxHM/story.html|title=S.C. governor calls for death penalty in church shooting|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=June 19, 2015|archive-date=June 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619175307/https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2015/06/19/the-latest-church-shooting-haley-calls-for-death-penalty/Sd50001xUfcaWDV1XdZxHM/story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The judge, Charleston County chief magistrate James "Skip" Gosnell Jr., caused controversy at the bond hearing with his statement that, alongside the dead victims and their families, "there are victims on this young man's side of the family ... Nobody would have ever thrown them into the whirlwind of events that they are being thrown into."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/s-judge-urges-support-dylann-roof-family-article-1.2264319|title=S.C. judge urges support for accused murderer Dylann Roof's family in bizarre court speech|work=[[The New York Daily News]]|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=June 21, 2015|first1=Barry|last1=Paddock|first2=Rich|last2=Shapiro|archive-date=March 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305015418/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/s-judge-urges-support-dylann-roof-family-article-1.2264319|url-status=live}}</ref> Gosnell then set a $1 million bond for the weapons possession charge and no bail on the nine counts of murder.<ref>{{cite web|first=Scott|last=Neuman|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/19/415792559/-1-million-bond-for-church-shooting-suspect|title=$1 Million Bond For Charleston Church Shooting Suspect|website=[[NPR]]|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=April 4, 2018|archive-date=October 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019180206/http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/19/415792559/-1-million-bond-for-church-shooting-suspect|url-status=live}}</ref>
On July 7, 2015, Roof was indicted on three new charges of attempted murder, one for each person who survived the shooting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/charges-charleston-church-shooting-attempted-murder-162002126.html|title=New charges in Charleston church shooting: Attempted murder|work=[[Yahoo! News]]|date=July 7, 2015|access-date=July 7, 2015|first=Meg|last=Kinnard|archive-date=July 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708100008/http://news.yahoo.com/charges-charleston-church-shooting-attempted-murder-162002126.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A temporary [[gag order]] was issued by a judge on July 14 following the appearance of a letter purportedly written by Roof on an online auction site.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/dylann-roof-fine-alleged-jail-letter-article-1.2291707|title=Dylann Roof in alleged jail letter to fan of serial killers: 'My health and spirit are doing fine'|work=[[The New York Daily News]]|date=July 14, 2015|access-date=July 14, 2015|first=Melissa|last=Chan|archive-date=October 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025164456/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/dylann-roof-fine-alleged-jail-letter-article-1.2291707|url-status=live}}</ref> Seven groups, including news media outlets, families of the slain victims, and church officials, called for easing some restrictions placed by the gag order, particularly [[9-1-1]] calls.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20150730/PC16/150739936/1177/seven-groups-expected-to-pose-arguments-on-gag-order-in-dylann-roof-case|title=Seven groups expected to pose arguments on gag order in Dylann Roof case|work=[[The Post and Courier]]|date=July 30, 2015|access-date=July 30, 2015|archive-date=August 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801055016/http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20150730/PC16/150739936/1177/seven-groups-expected-to-pose-arguments-on-gag-order-in-dylann-roof-case|url-status=live}}</ref> Portions of the gag order were lifted on October 14, allowing for the release of 9-1-1 call transcripts and other documents, but the order remained in place for graphic crime scene photos and videos, as well as audio for the 9-1-1 calls.<ref>{{cite web|first=Polly|last=Mosendz|url=https://www.newsweek.com/dylann-roof-trial-date-set-gag-order-extended-354297|title=Dylann Roof Trial Date Set, Gag Order Extended|website=[[Newsweek]]|date=July 16, 2015|accessdate=October 24, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025211234/https://www.newsweek.com/dylann-roof-trial-date-set-gag-order-extended-354297|url-status=live}}</ref>
On July 16, 2015, Roof's trial in state court was scheduled by Circuit Court Judge [[J. C. Nicholson]] to start on July 11, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/charleston-shooting-suspect-expected-court-thursday-32485116|title=Judge Sets Trial for Suspect in Charleston Church Shooting|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=July 16, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2015|first=Bruce|last=Smith|agency=[[Associated Press]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716211205/https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/charleston-shooting-suspect-expected-court-thursday-32485116|archive-date=July 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Phillip|first1=Abby|title=Dylann Roof trial date set for Charleston church shooting|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/07/16/dylann-roof-trial-date-set-for-emanuel-ame-church-shooting/|access-date=July 22, 2015|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=July 16, 2015|archive-date=April 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422004819/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/07/16/dylann-roof-trial-date-set-for-emanuel-ame-church-shooting/|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 20, Roof was ordered to provide handwriting samples to investigators. The order explained that following his arrest in Shelby, notes and lists were found written on his hand and at other locations; that the handwriting samples were needed to determine if the handwriting matched.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/charleston-shooting-defendant-dylann-roof-ordered-to-provide-handwriting-samples/|title=Charleston shooting suspect ordered to provide handwriting samples|work=[[CBS News]]|date=July 20, 2015|access-date=July 20, 2015|archive-date=July 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727121715/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/charleston-shooting-defendant-dylann-roof-ordered-to-provide-handwriting-samples/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wltx.com/story/news/2015/07/20/dylann-roof-to-provide-handwriting-samples/30407747/|title=Dylann Roof to Provide Handwriting Samples|work=WLTX|date=July 20, 2015|access-date=July 20, 2015|first=Bruce|last=Smith}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
On September 3, Ninth Circuit [[solicitor]] ([[district attorney]]) Scarlett Wilson said that she intended to seek the death penalty for Roof because more than two people were killed in the shooting and others' lives were put at risk.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/prosecutor-mulling-death-penalty-discuss-church-slayings-155225037.html|title=Prosecutor: Church shooting suspect to face death penalty|work=[[Yahoo! News]]|date=September 3, 2015|access-date=September 3, 2015|first1=Meg|last1=Kinnard|first2=Jeffrey|last2=Collins|archive-date=September 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903194826/http://news.yahoo.com/prosecutor-mulling-death-penalty-discuss-church-slayings-155225037.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 16, Roof said through his attorney that he was willing to plead guilty to the state charges to avoid being sentenced to death.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/accused-gunman-charleston-church-shooting-proposes-guilty-plea-162700935.html|title=Accused gunman in Charleston church shooting proposes guilty plea|work=[[Yahoo! News]]|date=September 16, 2015|access-date=September 16, 2015|first=Harriet|last=McLeod|archive-date=June 24, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230624142048/https://news.yahoo.com/accused-gunman-charleston-church-shooting-proposes-guilty-plea-162700935.html?guccounter=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Roof reappeared in state court on October 23, 2015,<ref name="VictimsAddress"/> before Nicholson.<ref name="Reprimand">{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/judge-who-presided-over-dylann-roof-bond-hearing-was-reprimanded-n379066|title=Judge Who Presided Over Dylann Roof Bond Hearing Was Reprimanded for Racial Slur|work=[[NBC News]]|date=June 20, 2015|access-date=June 21, 2015|first=Elizabeth|last=Chuck|archive-date=March 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304012356/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/judge-who-presided-over-dylann-roof-bond-hearing-was-reprimanded-n379066|url-status=live}}</ref>
The jury selection process for the state trial was initially expected to start in June 2016;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wach.com/news/local/600-potential-jurors-to-draw-from-in-dylann-roof-trial|title=In South Carolina, Jury Selection To Begin In Church Shooting Trial|publisher=WACH|date=January 27, 2016|access-date=January 27, 2016|first=Matthew|last=Stevens|archive-date=February 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224222642/http://wach.com/news/local/600-potential-jurors-to-draw-from-in-dylann-roof-trial|url-status=live}}</ref> jury selection was postponed in November 2016.<ref>{{cite web|first=Andrew V.|last=Pestano|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2016/11/07/South-Carolina-jury-selection-for-Dylann-Roof-trial-postponed/5571478534628/|title=South Carolina jury selection for Dylann Roof trial postponed|agency=[[United Press International|UPI]]|date=November 7, 2016|access-date=December 15, 2016|archive-date=April 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406023424/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2016/11/07/South-Carolina-jury-selection-for-Dylann-Roof-trial-postponed/5571478534628/|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2016, the state trial was delayed to January 17, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/judge-delays-trial-against-charleston-church-shooter-dylann-roof-until-n555361|title=Judge Delays Trial Against Charleston Church Shooter Dylann Roof Until January|work=[[NBC News]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=April 13, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304012211/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/judge-delays-trial-against-charleston-church-shooter-dylann-roof-until-n555361|url-status=live}}</ref> It was delayed again in January 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/the-latest-jurors-return-for-church-shooting-sentencing/2017/01/05/4b43576c-d356-11e6-9651-54a0154cf5b3_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106104329/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/the-latest-jurors-return-for-church-shooting-sentencing/2017/01/05/4b43576c-d356-11e6-9651-54a0154cf5b3_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 6, 2017|title=The Latest: Roof mused about adoption, Hitler's canonization|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=January 5, 2017|access-date=January 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcnews4.com/news/local/dylann-roofs-state-trial-delayed-indefinitely-as-federal-trial-continues|title=Dylann Roof's state trial delayed indefinitely as federal trial continues|website=ABC News 4|date=January 5, 2017|access-date=January 5, 2017|archive-date=January 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106103241/http://abcnews4.com/news/local/dylann-roofs-state-trial-delayed-indefinitely-as-federal-trial-continues|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 10, 2017, Roof pleaded guilty to nine state counts of murder and was sentenced to nine consecutive sentences of life without parole.<ref name="StateTrialSentence1"/><ref name="StateTrialSentence2"/><ref name="StateTrialSentence3"/> In a letter to the victims' families, Wilson said that the plea deal was "an insurance policy" in the event that Roof's federal death sentence were ever overturned, as it assures that Roof will die in prison.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/church_shooting/dylann-roof-to-plead-guilty-to-state-murder-charges-avoid/article_10632acc-161e-11e7-bc73-8ff91e3a2859.html|title=Dylann Roof to plead guilty to state murder charges, avoid second death penalty trial|first1=Jennifer Berry|last1=Hawes|first2=Glenn|last2=Smith|work=[[The Post and Courier]]|date=March 30, 2017|access-date=January 29, 2020|archive-date=June 24, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230624142754/https://www.postandcourier.com/church_shooting/dylann-roof-to-plead-guilty-to-state-murder-charges-avoid/article_10632acc-161e-11e7-bc73-8ff91e3a2859.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Federal prosecution===
====Indictment====
Five days after the shooting, [[United States Attorney General|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 and political rights|civil rights]] violations (12 hate crime charges under the [[Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. 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 [[freedom of religion|free exercise of religious beliefs]]), with 18 of the charges carrying the federal death penalty.<ref>*{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/ag-lynch-dylann-roof-indicted-33-counts-hate-crime-charges-n396681|title=AG Lynch: Dylann Roof Indicted on 33 Counts, Hate Crime Charges|work=NBC News|date=July 22, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2016|first=Halimah|last=Abdullah|archive-date=March 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304012227/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/ag-lynch-dylann-roof-indicted-33-counts-hate-crime-charges-n396681|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.
*{{cite web|title=Indictment: United States of America v. Dylann Storm Roof|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/file/632581/download|website=justice.gov|publisher=United States Department of Justice|access-date=October 2, 2016|date=July 20, 2015|archive-date=October 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004194036/https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/file/632581/download|url-status=live}}▼
*{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-south-carolina-dylann-roof-20161215-story.html|title=Jurors find Dylann Roof guilty of all 33 counts in hate-crime shootings at South Carolina church|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 15, 2016|access-date=December 17, 2016|first=Jennie|last=Jarvie}}▼
*{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/23/us/dylann-roof-charleston-shooting-suspect-is-expected-to-face-federal-hate-crime-charges.html|title=Dylann Roof, Charleston Shooting Suspect, Is Indicted on Federal Hate Crime Charges|work=The New York Times|date=July 22, 2015|access-date=July 22, 2015|first=Matt|last=Apuzzo|archive-date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404060727/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/23/us/dylann-roof-charleston-shooting-suspect-is-expected-to-face-federal-hate-crime-charges.html|url-status=live}}▼
▲*{{cite web|title=Indictment: United States of America v. Dylann Storm Roof|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/file/632581/download|website=justice.gov|publisher=United States Department of Justice|access-date=October 2, 2016|date=July 20, 2015}}
*{{cite press release|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-lynch-statement-following-federal-grand-jury-indictment-against-dylann-storm|title=Attorney General Lynch Statement Following the Federal Grand Jury Indictment Against Dylann Storm Roof|publisher=[[United States Department of Justice]]|date=July 22, 2015|access-date=August 26, 2016|archive-date=March 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329193003/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-lynch-statement-following-federal-grand-jury-indictment-against-dylann-storm|url-status=live}}</ref>▼
▲*{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/23/us/dylann-roof-charleston-shooting-suspect-is-expected-to-face-federal-hate-crime-charges.html|title=Dylann Roof, Charleston Shooting Suspect, Is Indicted on Federal Hate Crime Charges|work=The New York Times|date=July 22, 2015|access-date=July 22, 2015|first=Matt|last=Apuzzo}}
▲*{{cite press release|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-lynch-statement-following-federal-grand-jury-indictment-against-dylann-storm|title=Attorney General Lynch Statement Following the Federal Grand Jury Indictment Against Dylann Storm Roof|publisher=[[United States Department of Justice]]|date=July 22, 2015}}</ref>
On July 31, 2015, Roof pleaded not guilty to the federal charges against him at the behest of his lawyer [[David Bruck]]. Roof wanted to plead guilty, but Bruck stated he was not willing to advise a guilty plea until the government indicated whether it wanted to seek the death penalty, as 18 of the 33 charges could carry the death penalty.<ref>*{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/suspect-charleston-church-shooting-due-federal-court-094257327.html|title=Not guilty plea in federal court for church shooting suspect|work=Yahoo! News|date=July 31, 2015|access-date=July 31, 2015|first1=Meg|last1=Kinnard|first2=Bruce|last2=Smith|archive-date=July 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150731230652/http://news.yahoo.com/suspect-charleston-church-shooting-due-federal-court-094257327.html|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|last1=Cohen|first1=Andrew|title=Meet
*{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/suspect-in-charleston-church-shooting-pleads-not-guilty-1438548482|title=Charleston Suspect's Not-Guilty Plea Is Tactical Move|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=August 2, 2015|access-date=August 3, 2015|first=Ashby|last=Jones|archive-date=March 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303044118/https://www.wsj.com/articles/suspect-in-charleston-church-shooting-pleads-not-guilty-1438548482|url-status=live}}</ref>▼
▲*{{cite web|last1=Cohen|first1=Andrew|title=Meet Dylan Roof's Defender|url=https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/07/29/meet-dylann-roof-s-defender|work=The Marshall Project|date=July 31, 2015|access-date=July 31, 2015}}
▲*{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/suspect-in-charleston-church-shooting-pleads-not-guilty-1438548482|title=Charleston Suspect's Not-Guilty Plea Is Tactical Move|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=August 2, 2015|access-date=August 3, 2015|first=Ashby|last=Jones}}</ref>
On May 24, 2016, the Justice Department announced they would seek the death penalty for Roof. As he was already facing the death penalty in South Carolina, Roof became the first person in U.S. history to face the death penalty on both federal and state charges at the same time.<ref>*{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/25/us/dylann-roof-will-face-federal-death-penalty-in-charleston-church-killings.html|title=Death Penalty Is Sought for Dylann Roof in Charleston Church Killings|work=The New York Times|date=May 24, 2016|access-date=December 17, 2016|first=Alan|last=Blinder|archive-date=January 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110013255/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/25/us/dylann-roof-will-face-federal-death-penalty-in-charleston-church-killings.html|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=
▲*{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-south-carolina-dylann-roof-20161215-story.html|title=Jurors find Dylann Roof guilty of all 33 counts in hate-crime shootings at South Carolina church|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 15, 2016|access-date=December 17, 2016|first=Jennie|last=Jarvie|archive-date=March 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301212900/http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-south-carolina-dylann-roof-20161215-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
====Trial preparations====
On June 9, 2016, Roof, through his lawyers, announced that he did not want to be [[Jury trial|tried by a jury]]. Instead, Roof wanted the judge presiding over his case to [[bench trial|hear the case entirely by himself]], determining guilt or innocence and, if Roof was convicted, whether to sentence him to death.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article82920892.html|title=Accused Charleston killer Dylann Roof gambles, wants lone judge|work=Miami Herald|date=June 9, 2016|access-date=June 10, 2016|first=John|last=Monk|archive-date=April 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411143948/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article82920892.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The judge denied that motion after the prosecution (whose consent is required for a bench trial under the rules that apply to federal criminal proceedings) opposed Roof's request.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/judge-denies-bench-trial-for-charleston-shooting-suspect-dylann-roof|title=Judge denies bench trial for Charleston shooting suspect Dylann Roof|work=Fox News|date=June 13, 2016|agency=Associated Press|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227195533/https://www.foxnews.com/us/judge-denies-bench-trial-for-charleston-shooting-suspect-dylann-roof|url-status=live}}</ref>
On August 2, 2016, Roof's lawyers filed a motion arguing that the federal capital punishment laws were unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/gma/dylann-roofs-lawyers-file-challenge-death-penalty-unconstitutional-074105617--abc-news-topstories.html|title=Dylann Roof's Lawyers File Challenge to Death Penalty, Say It's Unconstitutional|work=Yahoo! GMA|date=August 2, 2016|access-date=August 2, 2016|first=Brian|last=McBride|archive-date=October 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019175815/https://www.yahoo.com/gma/dylann-roofs-lawyers-file-challenge-death-penalty-unconstitutional-074105617--abc-news-topstories.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Federal prosecutors filed a response on August 22, asking the judge to reject the motion.<ref name="WashPost.Self"/>
Line 177 ⟶ 172:
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". The documents also indicated the presence of extensive incriminating evidence against Roof. A hearing was set for September 1, 2016.<ref name="Yahoo.Entrenched"/><ref name="PostandCourier.Penned"/>
Around August 31, 2016, District Judge [[Richard Gergel]] ordered that an ''[[in camera]]'' hearing be held on September 1. The judge was to rule on the [[Admissible evidence|admissibility]] of some "potentially explosive" evidence. Gergel wrote: "This instance is one of those rare cases where Defendant's [[Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Sixth Amendment]] right to a fair trial outweighs the public's and the press' [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] right of access. ... This is an unusually sensitive period in this proceeding where highly prejudicial publicity could taint the jury pool and make selection of a fair and impartial jury increasingly challenging." Two Charleston-area media outlets, ''[[The Charleston Post and Courier]]'' and [[WCBD-TV]], unsuccessfully sought to keep the hearing open.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Monk|first1=John|title=US Judge Gergel orders rare secret hearing on potentially explosive evidence in Dylann Roof case|url=http://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article99027302.html|access-date=October 1, 2016|work=[[The State (newspaper)|The State]]|date=August 31, 2016|archive-date=January 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111081553/http://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article99027302.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
On September 6, 2016, federal prosecutors filed a motion seeking to bar Roof's attorneys from asking the jurors for mercy during sentencing should he be found guilty of the charges against him. They argue that the defense will already have the opportunity to present evidence that could sway the jury's opinion for sentencing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/dylann-roof-accused-church-shooter-should-not-ask-jury-mercy-n644101|title=Dylann Roof, Accused Church Shooter, Should Not Ask Jury for Mercy: Feds|work=NBC News|date=September 6, 2016|access-date=September 7, 2016|first=Erik|last=Ortiz|archive-date=March 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304012149/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/dylann-roof-accused-church-shooter-should-not-ask-jury-mercy-n644101|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WACH.Timeline">{{cite web|url=http://wach.com/news/local/prosecutors-want-to-use-timeline-exhibit-in-guilt-phase-of-dylann-roofs-federal-trial-09-07-2016|title=Prosecutors want to use timeline exhibit in guilt phase of Dylann Roof's federal trial|publisher=WACH|date=September 7, 2016|access-date=September 7, 2016|archive-date=March 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303161354/http://wach.com/news/local/prosecutors-want-to-use-timeline-exhibit-in-guilt-phase-of-dylann-roofs-federal-trial-09-07-2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, prosecutors asked for the use of summary charts as evidence for the trial. One of the charts was expected to be a timeline of the case as drafted by the agent responsible for investigating the shooting.<ref name="WACH.Timeline"/>
[[Jury selection]] started on September 26, 2016.<ref name=TheStateJurySelectionBegins>{{cite news|last1=Monk|first1=John|title=Roof jury selection under way in federal death penalty trial|url=http://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article104226996.html|access-date=October 1, 2016|work=The State|date=September 26, 2016|archive-date=January 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116201240/http://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article104226996.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The initial pool of three thousand candidates was narrowed down to the final jury of twelve, plus [[jury|alternates]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Alex|title=Charleston Church Shooting: Jury Selection Begins in Dylann Roof Federal Trial|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/charleston-church-shooting-jury-selection-begins-dylann-roof-federal-trial-n654696|access-date=October 1, 2016|agency=[[NBC News]]|date=September 26, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304012147/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/charleston-church-shooting-jury-selection-begins-dylann-roof-federal-trial-n654696|url-status=live}}</ref> The federal trial itself was expected to start late November or early December and last for about two months.<ref name="WACH.Timeline"/><ref name=TheStateJurySelectionBegins/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/20160906/160909642/3-federal-courtrooms-dedicated-to-dylann-roof-trial-in-charleston|title=3 federal courtrooms dedicated to Dylann Roof trial in Charleston|work=The Post and Courier|date=September 6, 2016|access-date=September 7, 2016|first=Andrew|last=Knapp|archive-date=September 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908230512/http://www.postandcourier.com/20160906/160909642/3-federal-courtrooms-dedicated-to-dylann-roof-trial-in-charleston|url-status=live}}</ref>
On November 8, 2016, District Court judge Richard M. Gergel ordered a competency evaluation for Roof, which Gergel scheduled for November 16, 2016. Gergel also postponed the jury selection to November 21, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/09/us/charleston-dylann-roof-emanuel.html|title=Charleston Judge Orders Competency Evaluation of Dylann Roof|work=The New York Times|date=November 8, 2016|access-date=November 9, 2016|first=Kevin|last=Sack|archive-date=December 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216095842/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/09/us/charleston-dylann-roof-emanuel.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/07/us/dylann-roof-trial/|title=Dylann Roof case: Jury selection postponed over competency issue
On November 14, 2016, Gergel delayed the competency hearing to November 17, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcnews4.com/news/emanuel-ame-shooting/competency-hearing-for-dylann-roof-delayed-until-nov-17|title=Competency hearing for Dylann Roof delayed until November 17|work=abcnews4|date=November 15, 2016|access-date=November 15, 2016|last=Tyson|first=Sam|archive-date=January 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111044554/http://abcnews4.com/news/emanuel-ame-shooting/competency-hearing-for-dylann-roof-delayed-until-nov-17|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/11/14/us/ap-us-charleston-church-shooting.html|title=Judge Delays Dylann Roof Competency Hearing for a Day|work=The New York Times|date=November 14, 2016|access-date=November 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/judge-delays-dylann-roof-competency-hearing-day-231830998.html|title=Judge delays Dylann Roof competency hearing for a day|work=Yahoo! News|date=November 15, 2016|access-date=November 15, 2016|archive-date=November 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115194148/https://www.yahoo.com/news/judge-delays-dylann-roof-competency-hearing-day-231830998.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> On November 16, 2016, Gergel delayed the competency hearing to November 21, 2016. Gergel also delayed the jury selection to November 28, 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hawes |first1=Jennifer |title=Judge rules Dylann Roof competency hearing closed to the public |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/church_shooting/judge-rules-dylann-roof-competency-hearing-closed-to-the-public/article_5d9cc1ea-ac01-11e6-86fb-6706dd09ccfb.html |access-date=April 4, 2021 |work=The Post and Courier |date=November 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210404182457/https://www.postandcourier.com/church_shooting/judge-rules-dylann-roof-competency-hearing-closed-to-the-public/article_5d9cc1ea-ac01-11e6-86fb-6706dd09ccfb.html |archive-date=April 4, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore|bot=InternetArchiveBot}}</ref> The competency hearing ended November 22, 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/church-suspect-competency-hearing-goes-into-second-day/2016/11/22/615b56a4-b0d7-11e6-bc2d-19b3d759cfe7_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123171944/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/church-suspect-competency-hearing-goes-into-second-day/2016/11/22/615b56a4-b0d7-11e6-bc2d-19b3d759cfe7_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 23, 2016|title=Church suspect competency hearing wraps up with no decision|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=November 22, 2016|access-date=November 23, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abccolumbia.com/2016/11/22/dylann-roof-competency-hearing-wraps/|title=Dylann Roof Competency Hearing Wraps Up|work=ABC Columbia|date=November 22, 2016|access-date=November 23, 2016|archive-date=November 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123203109/http://www.abccolumbia.com/2016/11/22/dylann-roof-competency-hearing-wraps/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On November 25, 2016, Roof was declared competent to stand trial.<ref>{{cite news|title=Charleston shooter, Dylann Roof, declared competent to stand trial|url=http://www.wcnc.com/news/charleston-shooter-dylann-roof-delcared-competent-to-stand-trial/355904854|agency=WCNC|date=November 25, 2016|access-date=November 25, 2016|archive-date=December 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201121727/http://www.wcnc.com/news/charleston-shooter-dylann-roof-delcared-competent-to-stand-trial/355904854|url-status=dead}}</ref> Three days later, a federal judge granted Roof's motion for [[Pro se legal representation in the United States|pro se]] representation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/28/us/dylann-roof-to-represent-self-charleston-trial/|title=Dylann Roof represents self in Charleston murder trial|work=CNN|date=November 28, 2016|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=November 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129025519/http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/28/us/dylann-roof-to-represent-self-charleston-trial/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-dylann-roof-charleston-church-shooting-trial-20161128-story.html|title=Judge grants Dylann Roof's 'unwise' request to represent himself in church shooting trial|work=Chicago Tribune|date=November 28, 2016|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=April 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413041749/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-dylann-roof-charleston-church-shooting-trial-20161128-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38135604|title=Charleston massacre accused Dylann Roof to defend himself|work=BBC News|date=November 28, 2016|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=November 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129024504/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38135604|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/28/us/dylann-roof-charleston-massacre.html|title=Dylann Roof to Represent Himself at Trial in Charleston Church Shootings|work=The New York Times|last=Sack
On December 4, 2016, Roof, in a handwritten request, asked Gergel to give him back his defense team for the guilt phase of his federal death penalty trial.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/04/us/dylann-roof-charleston-trial.html|title=Dylann Roof Wants His Lawyers Back to Begin Trial|work=The New York Times|date=December 4, 2016|access-date=December 5, 2016|archive-date=February 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222185348/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/04/us/dylann-roof-charleston-trial.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/04/dylann-roof-charleston-church-shooting-trial-emanuel-ame|title=Dylann Roof: accused Charleston church gunman asks for defense team back|work=The Guardian|date=December 4, 2016|access-date=December 5, 2016|archive-date=March 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302134457/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/04/dylann-roof-charleston-church-shooting-trial-emanuel-ame|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-dylann-roof-lawyers-20161204-story.html|title=Dylann Roof to judge: Let lawyers back on death penalty case|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 4, 2016|access-date=December 5, 2016|archive-date=February 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217193752/http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-dylann-roof-lawyers-20161204-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-dylann-roof-church-shooting-trial-20161204-story.html|title=Dylann Roof to judge: Let lawyers back on S.C. church death penalty case
====Trial and sentencing====
[[File:TerreHauteUSP.jpg|thumb|[[USP Terre Haute]], where Roof is incarcerated]]
On December 7, 2016, Roof's federal trial began.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/07/us/dylann-roof-trial.html|title=Heart-Rending Testimony as Dylann Roof Trial Opens|work=[[The New York Times]]|last2=Blinder|first2=Alan|last1=Sack|first1=Kevin|date=December 7, 2016|access-date=December 7, 2016|archive-date=January 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112211620/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/07/us/dylann-roof-trial.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The jury consisted of "two black women, eight white women, one white man and one black man".<ref name=ibt20161207a>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/dylann-roof-trial-update-6-things-know-plus-jury-breakdown-ahead-hate-crime-case-2456417
*{{cite web
At a court hearing on December 28, 2016, Roof reiterated that he would proceed with the sentencing phase without attorneys, although Judge Gergel repeatedly warned him that it was not in his interests to do so. At the hearing Roof said that he did not plan to call any witnesses or present any evidence at the sentencing phase in order to avoid the death penalty.<ref>{{cite web|url=
On January 3, 2017, following a lengthy closed-door competency hearing, Judge Gergel denied a motion, submitted [[under seal]] by Roof's court-appointed counsel, that sought to have Roof declared incompetent.<ref name="BlinderCompetent">{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Blinder|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/02/us/dylann-roof-charleston-church-killer-is-deemed-competent-for-sentencing.html|title=Dylann Roof, Charleston Church Killer, Is Deemed Competent for Sentencing|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 3, 2017|access-date=March 1, 2017|archive-date=January 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112211627/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/02/us/dylann-roof-charleston-church-killer-is-deemed-competent-for-sentencing.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Tonya|last=Maxwell|url=http://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2016/12/29/new-competency-hearing-slated-charleston-church-shooter/95964474/|title=New competency hearing slated for Charleston church shooter|newspaper=[[Asheville Citizen-Times]]|date=December 30, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2017|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911003904/https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2016/12/29/new-competency-hearing-slated-charleston-church-shooter/95964474/|url-status=live}}</ref> Gergel wrote: "After fully considering all of the evidence presented, the court ruled from the bench that Defendant remains competent to stand trial and to self-represent."<ref name="BlinderCompetent"/>
On January 10, 2017, the jury recommended the death penalty for Roof,<ref name="DeathJury">{{Cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/10/us/dylann-roof-trial/index.html |title=Dylann Roof jury: Death penalty for Charleston church shooter |last=Shah |first=Khushbu |website=[[CNN]] |date=January 10, 2017 |access-date=January 10, 2017 |archive-date=March 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302185555/http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/10/us/dylann-roof-trial/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and on January 11, 2017, Judge Gergel formally sentenced Roof to death.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sack|first1=Kevin|last2=Blinder|first2=Alan|title=Anguish, Rage and Mercy as Dylann Roof Is Sentenced to Death|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/11/us/dylann-roof-sentencing.html|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=January 26, 2017|page=A version of this article appears in print on January 12, 2017, on Page A14 of the New York edition with the headline: Anguish, Mercy and Defiance at Roof's Sentencing|date=January 11, 2017|quote=At the close of the nearly five-hour hearing, Judge Richard M. Gergel of Federal District Court formally sentenced Mr. Roof, 22, to death, in accordance with the verdict that a jury quickly delivered on Tuesday. Although they were not required to do so, most of the jurors who heard the case attended Wednesday's proceedings.|archive-date=March 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322140920/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/11/us/dylann-roof-sentencing.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Until April 19, 2017, Roof was located at the Charleston County Jail; on that day federal authorities took custody of him and took him to [[Federal Transfer Center, Oklahoma City|FTC Oklahoma City]]. On April 22, 2017, Roof arrived at [[USP Terre Haute]], the location of the federal death row for men and the federal execution chamber.<ref>{{cite news|first=Caitlin|last=Byrd|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/church_shooting/dylann-roof-is-now-on-federal-death-row-in-indiana/article_35026d62-276b-11e7-aead-af537dabe8fe.html|title=Dylann Roof is now on federal death row in Indiana|newspaper=[[The Post and Courier]]|date=April 22, 2017|access-date=April 23, 2017|archive-date=April 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423000351/http://www.postandcourier.com/church_shooting/dylann-roof-is-now-on-federal-death-row-in-indiana/article_35026d62-276b-11e7-aead-af537dabe8fe.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
====Post-trial proceedings and release of documents====
On May 10, 2017, Judge Gergel denied Roof's motion for a new trial.<ref>[http://www.postandcourier.com/ruling-denying-bid-for-new-roof-trial/pdf_8e7596ba-35c8-11e7-a6b9-0380c3b8c11c.html ''United States v. Roof''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524120231/http://www.postandcourier.com/ruling-denying-bid-for-new-roof-trial/pdf_8e7596ba-35c8-11e7-a6b9-0380c3b8c11c.html |date=May 24, 2017 }}, 2:15-472-RMG (D.S.C. May 10, 2017), Docket Number 961 – Ruling denying bid for new Roof trial.</ref><ref name="HawesSmith">{{cite news|first1=Jennifer Berry|last1=Hawes|first2=Glenn|last2=Smith|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/church_shooting/newly-released-documents-say-dylann-roof-saw-his-reputation-not/article_c25f720a-35b1-11e7-99fb-fbc1a612bf73.html|title=Newly released documents say Dylann Roof saw his reputation — not his crimes — as 'the most important issue'|newspaper=[[The Post and Courier]]|date=May 10, 2017}}</ref> On the same day, Gergel unsealed psychiatric reports from two court-ordered exams of Roof performed by James Ballenger, a [[forensic psychiatrist]], as well as the transcripts of two competency hearings, all of which found Roof competent to stand trial.<ref name="HawesSmith"/><ref name="MonkRoldán">{{cite news|first1=John|last1=Monk|first2=Cynthia|last2=Roldán|url=http://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article149742629.html|title=Dylann Roof's attorneys suspected he had autism, said he had 'blushing attacks'|newspaper=[[The State (newspaper)|The State]]|date=May 10, 2017|access-date=May 11, 2017|archive-date=May 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170514014655/http://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article149742629.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The court first ordered a psychiatric exam after Roof wrote a letter to prosecutors which referred to his defense attorneys as "the sneakiest group of people I have ever met" and adamantly rejected their strategy to portray him as mentally ill.<ref name="HawesSmith"/> Roof voiced his [[Anti-psychiatry|opposition to the practice of psychology]], describing it as a "Jewish invention that does nothing but invent diseases and tell people they have problems when they don't."<ref>{{Cite web|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=December 17, 2016|title=Dylann Roof says mental health should not be factor in death penalty decision|url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/17/charleston-church-shooting-dylann-roof-death-penalty|access-date=January 11, 2022|website=[[The Guardian]]|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911003903/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/17/charleston-church-shooting-dylann-roof-death-penalty|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=September 19, 2017|title=Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof asks to fire Jewish, Indian attorneys|url=https://www.jta.org/2017/09/19/united-states/church-gunman-dylann-roof-asks-to-fire-jewish-indian-attorneys|access-date=January 11, 2022|agency=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|archive-date=January 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111134939/https://www.jta.org/2017/09/19/united-states/church-gunman-dylann-roof-asks-to-fire-jewish-indian-attorneys|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Charleston Church Killer Vows Not To Use 'Jewish' Psychology in Defense|url=https://forward.com/news/breaking-news/357496/charleston-church-killer-vows-not-to-use-jewish-psychology-in-defense/|access-date=January 11, 2022|website=[[The Forward]]|date=December 19, 2016|archive-date=January 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111134937/https://forward.com/news/breaking-news/357496/charleston-church-killer-vows-not-to-use-jewish-psychology-in-defense/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The psychiatric report showed that Roof stated of the relatives of his victims that he "did not identify with them, he didn't care."<ref name="HawesSmith"/> Ballenger concluded that Roof had "perhaps some [[Autism|autistic]] traits" and meets the criteria for "[[social anxiety disorder]], probably [[generalized anxiety disorder]], possible [[autistic spectrum disorder]], a [[Substance use disorder|mixed substance abuse disorder]], depression by history and a [[schizoid personality disorder]]" but was competent to stand trial.<ref name="MonkRoldán"/> Ballenger wrote that Roof blocked his attorneys from introducing any evidence of autism or other disorders, as well as various [[delusion]]s,<ref name="HawesSmith"/> at trial because he did not want "any issue to take away from the rationale he had for committing his crimes" because he felt that "his reputation was ruined, ... He continues to feel that the only thing that is important to him is to protect his reputation."<ref name="MonkRoldán"/> Roof, who denies having autism,<ref>Drew Tripp, [http://abcnews4.com/news/emanuel-ame-shooting/dylann-roof-likely-had-autism-but-preferred-death-over-that-label-court-records-show Dylann Roof likely has autism, but preferred death over that label, court records show] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511050333/http://abcnews4.com/news/emanuel-ame-shooting/dylann-roof-likely-had-autism-but-preferred-death-over-that-label-court-records-show |date=May 11, 2017 }}, WCIV (May 10, 2017).</ref> told Ballenger that he "would rather die" than rely on autism defense, stating "it would ruin me" and "everybody would think I am a weirdo."<ref name="HawesSmith"/> Ballenger concluded that: "all of his decisions in the trial are dominated and driven by his primary racial prejudice and wish to preserve that as the sole rationale for his crimes and to protect his long term image and reputation as someone who has no mental illness."<ref name="HawesSmith"/>
====Death sentence appeal====
In January 2020, it was reported that Roof was [[appeal]]ing his death sentence.<ref>{{cite news|last=Coleman|first=Justine|date=January 29, 2020|title=Dylann Roof appeals conviction, death sentence in South Carolina church shooting|url=https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/480565-dylann-roof-appeals-conviction-death-sentence-in-south-carolina|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|location=Washington, D.C.|access-date=February 2, 2020|archive-date=February 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203015058/https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/480565-dylann-roof-appeals-conviction-death-sentence-in-south-carolina|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lavoie|first=Denise|date=January 29, 2020|title=White supremacist Dylann Roof appeals death penalty in church massacre|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/white-supremacist-appeals-death-penalty-in-church-massacre|work=[[Fox News]]|agency=Associated Press|access-date=February 2, 2020|archive-date=February 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201230934/https://www.foxnews.com/us/white-supremacist-appeals-death-penalty-in-church-massacre|url-status=live}}</ref> According to a 321-page brief filed by Roof's lawyers in the [[U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit]], Roof's representing himself during the penalty phase of his trial deprived the jury of extenuating information about his mental illness.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hecker|first=Caroline|date=January 29, 2020|title=Appeal: Dylann Roof hid mental illness from court during capital trial|url=https://www.wistv.com/2020/01/29/appeal-dylann-roof-hid-mental-illness-court-during-capital-trial/|work=[[WIS-TV]]|access-date=February 13, 2020|archive-date=February 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213021510/https://www.wistv.com/2020/01/29/appeal-dylann-roof-hid-mental-illness-court-during-capital-trial/|url-status=live}}</ref> The brief cites the Supreme Court's ruling in ''[[Indiana v. Edwards]]'' that judges can force a lawyer on defendants who lack mental capacity.<ref>{{cite news|last=Trotta|first=Daniel|date=January 29, 2020|title=Dylann Roof appeals death sentence for massacre at South Carolina black church|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-south-carolina-shooting-roof/dylann-roof-appeals-death-sentence-for-massacre-at-south-carolina-black-church-idUSKBN1ZS1RL|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=February 13, 2020|archive-date=February 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213021506/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-south-carolina-shooting-roof/dylann-roof-appeals-death-sentence-for-massacre-at-south-carolina-black-church-idUSKBN1ZS1RL|url-status=live}}</ref>
On May 25, 2021, his lawyers began an appeal process before the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit]] claiming that Roof was "too disconnected from reality" to represent himself at the federal trial. In the 321-page motion, his attorneys argue that he had disorders ranging from [[schizophrenia spectrum]] to [[autism]], [[anxiety]] and [[Depression (mood)|depression]], and that he did not care about his sentence, in the belief that [[white nationalist]]s would rescue him from prison after an impending race war. The defense team also argued that Roof masked his mental illness during the trial.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McLaughlin |first1=Eliott C. |title=Dylann Roof's appeal in his 2015 church massacre conviction focuses on killer's competency to stand trial |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/25/us/dylann-roof-appeal-arguments/index.html |access-date=May 29, 2021 |agency=[[CNN]] |date=May 25, 2021 |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230629223957/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/25/us/dylann-roof-appeal-arguments/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
On August 25, 2021, a panel of the Fourth Circuit unanimously rejected Roof's appeal. Upholding the death sentence, the judges wrote in their 149-page opinion that "no cold record or careful parsing of statutes and precedents can capture the full horror of what Roof did. His crimes qualify him for the harshest penalty that a just society can impose."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Neidig|first=Harper|date=August 25, 2021|title=Appeals court upholds death sentence in Charleston church shooting|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|url=https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/569357-appeals-court-upholds-death-sentence-in-charleston-church-shooting|access-date=August 25, 2021|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825162242/https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/569357-appeals-court-upholds-death-sentence-in-charleston-church-shooting|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 10, 2021, his attorneys appealed the judges' ruling.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kucher |first1=Tom |title=Dylann Roof Challenges Death Sentence Being Upheld, Appeals Panel's Decision |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://districtchronicles.com/dylann-roof-challenges-death-sentence-being-upheld-appeals-panels-decision/ |access-date=September 11, 2021 |date=September 11, 2021 |archive-date=September 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911120623/https://districtchronicles.com/dylann-roof-challenges-death-sentence-being-upheld-appeals-panels-decision/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On September 24, 2021, a federal court declined to take the appeal case against the panel's decision, arguing in a one-page file that the appeals should go before the full appeals court.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Castronuovo |first1=Celine |title=Appeals court declines to take up Dylann Roof's death sentence challenge {{!}} The Hill |url=https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/573877-appeals-court-declines-to-take-up-dylann-roofs-death-sentence |access-date=September 27, 2021 |work=The Hill |date=September 24, 2021 |archive-date=September 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927120003/https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/573877-appeals-court-declines-to-take-up-dylann-roofs-death-sentence |url-status=live }}</ref> A day prior, attorneys for the federal government opposed appeals saying that Roof was properly convicted and sentenced saying that there is "no need to revisit" the facts for which Roof was found guilty.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kinnard |first1=Meg (AP) |title=Government: Dylann Roof's death sentence should stand {{!}} Associated Press |url=https://kentuckytoday.com/stories/government-dylann-roofs-death-sentence-should-stand,34396 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |work=Kentucky Today |date=September 26, 2021 |archive-date=September 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927120006/https://kentuckytoday.com/stories/government-dylann-roofs-death-sentence-should-stand,34396 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On March 2, 2022, attorneys for Roof announced that they had asked the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] to resolve the dispute between them and their client over the mental illness defense. Roof had fired his attorneys to prevent them from portraying him as having a mental illness. The attorneys argued that they should have been allowed to remain on the case.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kinnard |first1=Meg |title=Dylann Roof takes church shooting appeal to US Supreme Court {{!}} Associated Press |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/dylann-roof-takes-church-shooting-appeal-us-supreme-83207302|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012005305/https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/dylann-roof-takes-church-shooting-appeal-us-supreme-83207302|archive-date=October 12, 2022|access-date=March 2, 2022|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=March 2, 2022}}</ref> On October 11, 2022, it was announced that the Supreme Court had denied the appeal without comment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/supreme-court-denies-appeal-dylann-roof-sentenced-death-murders-sc-black-church|title=Supreme Court denies appeal of Dylann Roof, sentenced to death for murders at SC Black church|work=FoxNews|date=October 11, 2022|access-date=October 11, 2022|first=Timothy|last=Nerozzi|archive-date=June 30, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230630105717/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/supreme-court-denies-appeal-dylann-roof-sentenced-death-murders-sc-black-church|url-status=live}}</ref>
==2016 assault in prison==
On August 4, 2016, Roof was beaten by a fellow inmate while detained at the Charleston County Detention Center. Roof
Roof and his attorney stated that they did not plan to press charges.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/TheBattery/archives/2016/08/04/dylann-roof-assaulted-by-fellow-inmate|title=Dylann Roof assaulted by fellow inmate|first=Dustin|last=Waters|work=[[Charleston City Paper]]|date=August 4, 2016|access-date=August 9, 2016|archive-date=March 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301061053/http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/TheBattery/archives/2016/08/04/dylann-roof-assaulted-by-fellow-inmate|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fox2now.com/2016/08/07/man-who-allegedly-assaulted-dylann-roof-released-on-100000-bond/|title=Man who allegedly assaulted Dylann Roof released on $100,000 bond|first=Danielle|last=Scruggs|website=FOX 2 Now|date=August 7, 2016|access-date=August 9, 2016|archive-date=March 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314132455/http://fox2now.com/2016/08/07/man-who-allegedly-assaulted-dylann-roof-released-on-100000-bond/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The night after the attack, 18 months after his initial arrest, Stafford was released on over $100,000 bond.<ref name="cbs">{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/man-accused-of-attacking-charleston-shooter-dylann-roof-out-on-bond/|title=Man accused of attacking alleged Charleston church shooter out on bond|work=[[CBS News]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=August 6, 2016|access-date=August 8, 2016|archive-date=January 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111094112/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/man-accused-of-attacking-charleston-shooter-dylann-roof-out-on-bond/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.live5news.com/story/32698095/report-inmate-who-assaulted-dylann-roof-in-jail-out-on-bond?sf32679935=1|title=Report: Inmate who assaulted Dylann Roof out on bond|website=Live 5 News|first=Ray|last=Rivera|date=August 5, 2016|access-date=December 15, 2016|archive-date=April 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420042713/http://www.live5news.com/story/32698095/report-inmate-who-assaulted-dylann-roof-in-jail-out-on-bond?sf32679935=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also==
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[[Category:American conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Christians]]
[[Category:Manhunts]]
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