Dylann Roof to Represent Himself in Charleston Church Trial – blogged by @MsJennyb On Friday, a judge ruled that the accused gunman of the #Charleston Church shooting was competent to stand trial. On Monday, it has been revealed that the shooter, #DylannRoof, will represent himself in the death penalty trial, set to begin today. According to reports, Roof filed a motion on Sunday to serve as his own lawyer. The decision was made moments before jury selection began. Judge #RichardGergel ruled that Roof had the right and capacity to represent himself in court, although he believed it wasn’t a smart decision. Roof faces 33 charges against him, after shooting nine members of #Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The judge asked Roof a series of questions, to make sure the defendant understood the severity of his crimes. The questioning lasted less than 10 minutes, reports state, as Roof responded with several one word answers. “I think it is wise for you to be represented by counsel and to get the benefit of that experience, “Judge Richard Gergel said to Roof, who stood before him wearing a white and blue-gray prison jumpsuit. “You know I think that. You and I have talked about it.” Gergel demanded Roof’s existing counsel to be on standby and sit with the defendant at the table, however, one seat over, allowing Roof to sit in the first chair as lead.
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