Emanuel AME church shooter Dylann Roof to represent himself in federal hate crimes trial

[Eugene]

Source: Charleston Post and Courier

A federal judge has ruled that accused Emanuel AME Church shooter Dylann Roof can represent himself in his federal death penalty trial, potentially allowing the self-avowed white supremacist to question the shooting survivors and nine victims' family members if they are called to testify.

Roof made the last-minute request as jury selection was set to begin this morning. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel cautioned Roof against serving as his own attorney, noting his defense team's considerable legal expertise, but ultimately granted the request. He noted that Roof has a constitutional right to represent himself.

"I do find defendant has the personal capacity to self-representation," Gergel said. "I continue to believe it is strategically unwise, but it is a decision you have the right to make."

Roof, garbed in a striped grey-and-white jail uniform, answered the judge's questions with "yes, sir" in a quiet, raspy voice. After Gergel's ruling, he smiled slightly as he returned to his defense table. He then sat in the front-and-center seat as his lead lawyer, renowned capital defense attorney David Bruck, scooted over. Roof told the judge that he wanted his attorneys, who will act as "stand-by counsel" now, to sit at the table with him.

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Read more: http://www.postandcourier.com/church_shooting/emanuel-ame-church-shooter-dylann-roof-to-represent-himself-in/article_27281404-b56e-11e6-aca9-b3862d04ed6a.html

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By Jennifer Berry Hawes

Updated 57 min ago

[no_hypocrisy]

1. I believe the Court can assign counsel solely for the purpose of assisting with

court procedure, not strategy.

[Siwsan]

2. I wish that Court TV was still around

This trial should prove to be very interesting.

[Solly Mack]

3. Hmmm

[backscatter712]

4. Fine by me. All the better for this neo-Nazi scumfuck to fuck himself.

Normally, I'm against the death penalty, but in his case, I'll make an exception.

[Paladin]

5. The evil little prick is sealing his own fate. Suits me fine. (nt)

[HAB911]

6. I bet his defense will include how Cheeto for President absolves him....n/t

[meow2u3]

7. Good! He'll end up in the slammer for sure, then

Remember the wise words of Shakespeare? He who has self for a lawyer has a fool for a client.

[Yo_Mama]

8. Slammer? This is a DP case. My guess is this is an appeals strategy.

After conviction and sentencing, he'll appeal on the grounds that he had inadequate counsel.

[graegoyle]

11. There should be a stipulation:

If you INSIST on self-representation, that CANNOT be grounds for appeal.

[BumRushDaShow]

10. He's probably expecting an all-white jury to acquit

or at least declare him insane and that will be that. And that will probably happen too.

[Yo_Mama]

12. They'll give him the DP. This is the federal trial, but he'll get it in both.

You just don't know these people. Not likely to be an all-white jury, but in this area, if they managed to seat an a jury entirely composed of KKK members, he'd still get the DP. The deliberations just wouldn't last as long.

He's toast. No defense possible, nothing to do but run the clock out as long as he can.

[Aristus]

9. He'll no doubt question victims and witnesses with gems like:

"Did you get a good look at my face when I shot you?"

Throw him under the jail and leave him there for the rest of his worthless life...