Emanuel AME shooter will face death penalty

(The Christian Science Monitor) Charleston mayor Joseph P. Riley said in a news conference on June 19 that he had "no doubt" the death penalty would be sought in Dylann Roof's case, though he is personally "not a proponent of the death penalty." Documents filed Thursday indicate that Roof will indeed face the death penalty. He is expected in court again in October on charges relating to the violent attack on churchgoers at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

The documents said prosecutors would pursue the death penalty against Roof because more than two people were killed, and that others' lives were put at risk.

Prosecutors also said they intended to present evidence on Roof's mental state, his adult and juvenile criminal record and other conduct, and his apparent lack of remorse for the killings. Images of Roof being led into court depict him with a blank stare.