Jury Selection Delayed While Dylann Roof Undergoes Competency Evaluation

Dylann Roof/File

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — A day after jury selection was postponed in Dylann Roof’s federal hate crimes trial, court officials said the process would be put off for weeks while the 22-year-old Eastover man undergoes a competency evaluation.

Roof is charged with nearly three dozen hate crimes and crimes against religious practice for the shooting at Emanuel AME Church in downtown Charleston on June 17, 2015.

According to an order from the court, Roof’s competency evaluation has begun and a report will be delivered to the court on Nov. 14. Hearings on Roof’s competency will be held on Nov. 16 with an anticipated decision on the matter by Nov. 18. For that reason, jury selection was postponed until Nov. 21, the order reads.

“The court is mindful that this delay in jury selection may be disappointing to some, but it is the court’s duty to conduct a fair trial and follow procedures which protect the legal rights of the defendant,” the order reads. “Under the present circumstances, the court finds this brief delay in jury selection to serve the ends of justice.”

On Monday as jury selection was set to begin, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Gergel announced a closed door, ex-parte hearing between him, Roof, and Roof’s attorneys to deal with a motion filed earlier in the morning under seal.

Federal courts are closed on Election Day, but the issues appeared to be resolved with jury selection set to start on Wednesday.

It’s unclear the nature of the motion filed by Roof.

Prosecutors in federal and state court are seeking the death penalty in his case. His attorneys have said repeatedly that Roof will plead guilty if either state or federal government removes the possiblity of death.