Dylann Roof Won't Call Any Witnesses To Try To Spare His Life
By Jamal Andress | December 28, 2016On Wednesday, Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof told a judge he has no intention of calling witnesses or presenting evidence to persuade a jury to spare his life.
BREAKING: Dylann Roof tells judge he won't call witnesses or present evidence to try to spare his life for church massacre.
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 28, 2016
Two weeks ago, a federal jury found Roof guilty of killing nine churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina. He was convicted on all 33 counts he was charged with, including hate crimes resulting in death and obstruction of exercise of religion. Roof got rid of his lawyers shortly after that and says he'll represent himself in the upcoming penalty phase of the trial. He's facing the death penalty.
His recent actions have led some to speculate he's purposely trying to get "death by jury." To be clear, Roof himself has not acknowledged this.
This theory that #DylannRoof is seeking “death by jury” isn’t so far fetched. https://t.co/j06XRshY49 #RoofTrial
— Aaron L. Morrison (@aaronlmorrison) December 28, 2016
In spite of Roof's plans to represent himself, he can still bring back his defense lawyers anytime before opening statements, which are set to begin Tuesday, Jan. 3.