RadioOnFire.com - Two weeks after jury selection was postponed while the federal judge presiding over Dylann Roof's impending mass murder trial assessed documentation on the defendant's mental health, Roof was determined competent to stand trial on Friday, November 25.
U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel is documented as having granted the defense's motion to look into its claim that Roof might not presently have the mental capacity to assist them in presenting a fair case on his behalf, leading to his halting of the pre-trial process on November 7. Gergel had followed up on his decision by holding a closed-door hearing consisting of only lawyers, prosecutors, court officials, witnesses and Roof himself. Judge Gergel is reported to have heard the testimony of psychologist James Ballenger, and reviewed statements made before him and in writing from up to seven unnamed witnesses; all of which was taken into consideration when making the call.
Jury selection for the January 2017 trial is set to resume on Monday. Roof faces the death penalty if the federal court convicts him on the hate crime, obstruction of religion and other charges made against him in connection with the June 2015 attack that claimed the lives of 9 parishioners at Charleston's Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. He also faces the death penalty over nine counts of murder in a state court trial for which he has already been deemed competent to stand.
Source: wcvb.com
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