UPDATED 3:00 pm EST
A federal judge has postponed jury selection indefinitely in the death penalty trial of Dylann Roof following a closed-door hearing Monday morning with the suspect and his legal team.
U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel met for about an hour and 40 minutes with Roof and his attorneys. Roof’s lead lawyer, David Bruck, declined comment when he departed at the conclusion of the hearing.
Federal prosecutors were barred from the proceeding along with the public. Gergel did not give any details about the motion, but said he was taking this step to ensure Roof’s right to a fair trial and to protect attorney-client privilege in the case.
Through a spokesman, Gergel said he won’t make any further comment on the closed hearing or release a hearing transcript today.
Federal court records show Roof submitted a motion to the court on Sunday, but that document remains under seal, as do two filings made Monday morning.
http://www.postandcourier.com/church_shooting/jury-selection-delayed-indefinitely-in-dylann-roof-death-penalty-case/article_c40c7800-a4f2-11e6-89e9-f3869162cee6.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share
In the trial of Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof, a pool of some 3000 potential jurors has narrowed to 512. A panel of 12 from that number will be drawn in a process that could last 2 weeks. Both prosecutors and defense attorneys are each allowed 23 peremptory strikes.
Authorities say Roof walked into a Wednesday night Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and opened fire. He allegedly carried a Glock pistol and 8 magazines. Roof, 22, has been federally indicted on 33 counts related to nine murders in the shooting.
With the shootings, Roof intended to boost racial tensions, according to federal officials. Instead, the shooting left the nation aghast that worshipers were slaughtered in a house of God and touched off questions about “lone wolf” shooters, race relations and the nature of forgiveness.
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