A federal judge has formally sentenced Dylann Roof to death for the shooting massacre of nine black worshippers at a Charleston church last year.
U.S. Judge Richard Gergel handed down the sentence Wednesday at a hearing to formally affirm the jury’s decision on the death penalty — though he could not change their decision. The jury convicted him last week in the federal trial, which included hate crimes charges.
Gergel also on Wednesday denied Roof’s motion for new lawyers and a new trial. Roof had represented himself during the sentencing phase of the federal trial, and called no witnesses to the stand. He gave only a five-minute closing argument in which he offered no apology or remorse for what he did.
The 12 jurors deliberated for less than three hours Tuesday before sentencing the 22-year-old self-proclaimed white supremacist to head to death row. Roof opened fire at the Emanuel AME Church on June 15, 2015, to start a race war, he admitted.
More than 30 family members of the victims at the church spoke during Wednesday’s formality hearing. Several asked Roof to look at them while they addressed him, though he never obliged.
Felicia Sanders, one of the mothers of one of the victims who survived the attack, told Roof, “I forgive you.”
The Rev. Dan Simmons’ son, Dan Simmons Jr., also said to Roof, “I forgive you.”
“I know that you don’t understand that, but God requires me to forgive you. I forgive you. He also requires me to plead and pray for you, and I do that,” Simmons Jr. said. “Understand that as you have been judged, know that you have an opportunity to ask for forgiveness. Know that you can change your life. Stay focused. I guarantee if you choose to serve him you will have a better life.”
