DOJ to Seek Death Penalty for Alleged Charleston Church Shooter Dylann Roof

Monica Sanchez | May 24, 2016
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Federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Dylann Roof, the man accused of killing nine people at a historic African-American church in Charleston, S.C., last June, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday. 

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch released the following statement regarding the department's decision.

“Following the department’s rigorous review process to thoroughly consider all relevant factual and legal issues, I have determined that the Justice Department will seek the death penalty,” the statement reads

“The nature of the alleged crime and the resulting harm compelled this decision.”

Dylann Roof, 22, is accused of fatally shooting nine black parishioners participating in a bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 17, 2015.

He faces 33 federal charges, including counts of murder, hate crime, and obstruction of religious exercise. 

A federal trial date has not yet been announced. 

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