Federal Trial vs Dylann Roof Set for Nov. 7

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A federal judge in South Carolina has scheduled the trial against a white man charged in the shooting deaths of nine black parishioners at Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church a year ago.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel said that Dylann Roof, who faces numerous federal counts, including hate crimes, will start his trial on November 7.

Gergel also said Roof’s pre-trial may move to Columbia for about a week during jury selection where he anticipates 1200-1500 jurors will be called from across the state.

Dylann Roof’s attorney David Bruck says he may seek a Charleston-only jury but he only has a week to decide.

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced last month that prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Roof.

Roof also faces nine murder counts in state court, where prosecutors are also seeking the death penalty in a trial set to begin in January.

The timeline of the federal trial means the state trial will overlap for Dylann Roof. Jury selection begins in state court on Dec. 6.

The anniversary of the shooting at the church often called Mother Emanuel is next week.