Judge Denies Request to Delay Roof Competency Hearing

[gtxvideo vid=’VMi3PiY6′ thumb=’http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/VMi3PiY6.jpg’ vtitle=’Dylann Roof Competency Hearing Set’]

COLUMBIA, SC (AP)- A federal judge  denied a request to delay a competency hearing for the white man facing a possible death sentence in the killing of nine black parishioners at a Charleston church.

Federal Judge Richard Gergel on Thursday ordered a psychiatric evaluation of Dylann Roof to take place this weekend and a hearing for Monday. In response, attorneys acting as his standby counsel asked for a delay, suggesting one week. Gergel said no.

In court documents filed later Thursday, the attorneys said they recognize the delay request could be viewed “as a ‘tactic.’ It is not.”