Dylan Roof, the 21-year-old accused of shooting and killing nine African-American worshippers in a South Carolina church, pleaded not guilty to federal hate crime charges during an arraignment hearing Friday.
Roof's plea came a week after a federal grand jury indicted Roof on 33 counts, including hate crimes, weapons charges and obstructung the practice of religion.
Not guilty plea from #CharlestonShooting suspect Dylann Roof to 33 federal hate crime charges. pic.twitter.com/OOHb5KEHYZ— Aaron Katersky (@AaronKatersky) July 31, 2015
Roof's lawyer, David Bruck, said during the hearing that while his client wanted to plead guilty, Bruck could not advise Roof to do so until it's clear whether the government intends to seek the penalty.
In addition to the federal charges, Roof faces several related, but separate, state charges, including nine counts of murder. State prosecutors in that case have also not said whether they intend to seek the death penalty.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.