Trial Date Set for S.C. Church Shooting Suspect Dylann Roof, Gag Order Extended
COLUMBIA, S.C., July 16 (UPI) — A South Carolina judge set a July 11, 2016 trial date for Dylann Roof, suspected of gunning down nine people in a Charleston church last month, and extended a gag order that restricts public access to information about the shooting, including 911 calls and medical examiner reports.
Roof, 21, who is facing nine counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and a weapons charge in the June 17 rampage at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church, also waived his right to bond Thursday morning. Roof’s attorney said a mental competency evaluation shows an “online GED, he can read, he writes, he understands.”
Nicholson also extended a gag order for another week, until July 22, after hearing arguments from media outlets, including the Charleston Post and Courier as well as the Associated Press, that challenged the court’s decision to prevent law enforcement agencies from releasing evidence in the case. Nicholson expressed concerns the images would risk Roof’s right to a fair trial and harm the victims, their families and the ongoing criminal investigation. He gave them until 5 p.m. Wednesday to file a motion to prevent the gag order from being lifted.
Authorities have not yet disclosed if they will pursue hate-crime charges against Roof, who allegedly was attempting to start a race war when he opened fire in the historically black church. Roof has not entered a plea.
