Prosecutor to seek death penalty in S.C. church shooting

September 3, 2015 at 12:25 p.m.

by The Associated Press

This April 2015 photo released by the Lexington County (S.C.) Detention Center shows Dylann Roof, 21. Charleston Police identified Roof as the shooter who opened fire during a prayer meeting inside the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., Wednesday, June 17, 2015 night, killing several people.
This April 2015 photo released by the Lexington County (S.C.) Detention Center shows Dylann Roof, 21. Charleston Police identified Roof as the shooter who opened fire during a prayer meeting inside the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., Wednesday, June 17, 2015 night, killing several people.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — 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.

Roof also faces federal charges including hate crimes. Prosecutors in that case have not said if they will pursue the death penalty.

Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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