Accused Charleston Killer Dylann Roof Competent to Stand Trial, Judge Rules

The 22-year-old is accused of killing nine people at the Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in June 2015

dylann roof

Dylann Roof, the man accused of killing nine people at a church in South Carolina in June 2015, is competent to stand trial, a judge ruled on Friday.

U.S. District Judge Richard Mark Gergel is sealing a document detailing the factual reasons behind his decision, CNN reported, however, public disclosure could put Roof’s right to a fair trial in jeopardy, the judge said.

Roof, now 22, allegedly opened fire at the Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, killing nine black parishioners in what is now being considered a hate crime.

The trial began on Nov. 7, but was then halted so that a competency evaluation could be carried out. Jury selection is set to resume on Monday, according to Gergel.

A defendant is not competent to stand trial “only if the court finds ‘that the defendant is presently suffering from a mental disease or defect’ that renders him ‘unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him or to assist properly in his defense,’” the judge wrote in his order, according to USA Today.

“After carefully considering the record before the court, the relevant legal standards and the arguments of counsel, the court now finds and concludes that the defendant is competent to stand trial,” he concluded.

Roof faces 33 federal charges: nine counts of violating the Hate Crime Act resulting in death; three counts of violating the Hate Crime Act involving an attempt to kill; nine counts of obstruction of exercise of religion resulting in death; three counts of obstruction of exercise of religion involving an attempt to kill and use of a dangerous weapon; nine counts of use of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence.

If found guilty, he could get the death penalty.

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