CHARLESTON– A South Carolina prosecutor says she will seek the death penalty for a white man charged with killing nine black churchgoers.
Prosecutors filed court papers Thursday saying they would pursue the death penalty against 21-year-old Dylann Roof. The documents cited factors including the fact that more than two people were killed, and that others’ lives were put at risk.
Prosecutors also said they intended to present evidence on Roof’s mental state, adult and juvenile criminal record and other conduct, as well as his apparent lack of remorse for the killings.
Roof faces state charges including nine murder counts in the June 17 slayings at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. He is next expected in court on those charges in October.
Prosecutor Scarlett Wilson said in a statement that not all nine families want her to seek the death penalty, but they accept her decision to try to put the suspect to death.
Wilson called Roof’s actions “the ultimate crime that deserved the ultimate punishment.” Wilson says she understands the desire of some victims’ families to forgive Roof, but she says forgiveness doesn’t eliminate the consequences of Roof’s actions.
Roof also faces federal charges including hate crimes. Prosecutors in that case have not said if they will pursue the death penalty.
