Jury Selection to Continue Monday in Church Shooting Trial

Roshanda Pratt and associated press

Charleston, SC (WLTX)-  Jury selection will continue in the federal case against Dylann Roof on trial for fatally shooting nine churchgoers at a Charleston church last year.

Twenty-two-year-old Dylann Roof is charged with counts including hate crimes and obstruction of religion in the Emanuel AME Church shootings. It’s the first of two death penalty trials he faces.

The selection process was halted November 7th after Roof’s lawyers questioned his ability to understand the case against him. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel’s ruling last week cleared the way for Monday’s process to begin anew.

Beginning Monday, 516 potential jurors will report to the courthouse to be individually questioned by the judge. When 70 qualified jurors are picked, attorneys can use strikes to dismiss those they don’t want.

The final jury will have 12 jurors and six alternatives.

Dylann Roof faces the death penalty.

Source: WLTX