Justice Dept. to Seek Death Penalty in Charleston Church Shooting

05-600Federal prosecutors announced this week that they will seek the death penalty for Dylan Roof. The 22-year-old is accused of killing nine black parishioners at an African Methodist Episcopal church in Charleston, South Carolina last June. Federal prosecutors rarely seek the death penalty against defendants. The state prosecutor has said that some of the victims’ families are opposed to the death penalty due to their religious beliefs. But other families feel it is appropriate. Some relatives of the slain worshippers offered forgiveness during Roof’s initial court appearance.

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