Justice Department wants death penalty for Charleston church killer

The Justice Department intends to seek the death penalty against Dylann Roof, the man charged with killing nine black parishioners last year in a church in Charleston, South Carolina.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said: 

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

Roof is awaiting trial on federal hate crime charges in connection with the June 17 shooting at Emanuel AME Church, which contributed to a national conversation about race relations and also led to the removal of a Confederate battle flag from the South Carolina Statehouse.

Roof is also charged with nine counts of murder in state court, and South Carolina prosecutors have already announced plans to seek the death penalty when he stands trial next year.

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At a September 2015 press conference, Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson thanked the victims families for "the respect they've shown for the work we must do."

Wilson then commented on her decision to seek the death penalty, saying, "While none of us have the heart for vengeance, we all have the resolve to seek and find justice in this case." She added, “This was the ultimate crime and justice from our state calls for the ultimate punishment."

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.

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