The Final Call

Prosecutor: Church shooting suspect to face death penalty

By AP | Last updated: Sep 10, 2015 - 5:50:50 PM

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Solicitor Scarlett Wilson, left, announces her intention to seek the death penalty against Dylann Roof (inset) in the killing of nine people at the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church as Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen, center, and solicitor’s office spokeswoman Namoi Nation listen on Sept. 3. in Charleston, S.C. Wilson said she understands the desire of some victims’ families to forgive Roof, but she said forgiveness doesn’t eliminate the consequences of his actions. Photo: AP Wide World Photos

CHARLESTON, S.C.—The state prosecutor in charge of trying Dylann Roof in what authorities have said was the racially motivated killing of nine Black people inside of a Charleston church spoke to the families of victims about how Mr. Roof should be punished, but said the ultimate decision rested in her hands.

Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said Sept. 3 Mr. Roof’s deliberate massacre—autopsies determined each victim was shot multiple times and police said Roof spent nearly an hour at a Wednesday night Bible study before opening fire—required her to seek the most serious punishment the state allows.

“This was the ultimate crime, and justice from our state calls for the ultimate punishment,” Ms. Wilson said, reading a three-minute statement outside her Charleston office. She took no questions.

Mr. Roof faces state charges including nine murder counts in the June 17 slayings at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. He is expected in court again on those charges in October.

Ms. Wilson acknowledged some victims’ families didn’t want her to seek the death penalty against the 21-year-old Roof. But the prosecutor said forgiveness couldn’t be her only consideration.

“We all agree forgiveness can be an important part of the healing process. But know that forgiveness does not necessarily mean forgoing consequences,” Ms. Wilson said.

Mr. Roof’s lawyers did not respond to Solicitor Wilson’s decision.

Mr. Roof is charged under U.S. hate crime laws as well, and federal prosecutors haven’t decided if they will also seek the death penalty. Federal authorities have said Mr. Roof wrote online of fomenting racial violence and used racial slurs in a personal manuscript in which he decried integration.

But Thursday’s motion in state court doesn’t guarantee the case goes to trial. In a number of other murder cases in South Carolina, solicitors have filed notices to seek the death penalty and used them as bargaining chips to get a defendant to plead guilty in exchange for life in prison.  (AP)