01-05-2017, 05:24 PM
The Sentencing Phase
Prosecutors opened by reading a note that Roof wrote in jail after his arrest. It stated that he was not remorseful and had no regrets about killing 9 black people. He stated that he felt sorry for white kids who have to grow up in this sick society and for innocent white people who have to live among the inferior race.
Roof also noted that he had shed some tears of self-pity for his plight, explaining that he did what had to be done and that the situation with black people should never have been allowed to exist in the first place.
Prosecutors told the jury they may call up to 38 witnesses in the Sentencing Phase, most of whom are victims' family members. Roof filed a motion objecting to so many such witnesses giving emotional testimony; he doesn't believe that's fair.
Dylann Roof then made his opening statements. It was the first time the jury heard from him in-person. He did not speak during the Guilt Phase of his trial (though the jury did see/hear tape of his confession).
Roof told the jury that he was not mentally ill. He told them he would not lie to them, directly nor through a legal representative. He does not appear intent on cross-examining any of the prosecution's witnesses or presenting any evidence on his own behalf.
The Sentencing Phase is expected to complete by the middle of next week. After the jury decides whether Roof will live or die in this hate-crime federal trial, Roof faces trial for the murder charges with a possible death sentence by the state of South Carolina.
Refs:
http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/04/us/dyl....html?_r=0
Prosecutors opened by reading a note that Roof wrote in jail after his arrest. It stated that he was not remorseful and had no regrets about killing 9 black people. He stated that he felt sorry for white kids who have to grow up in this sick society and for innocent white people who have to live among the inferior race.
Roof also noted that he had shed some tears of self-pity for his plight, explaining that he did what had to be done and that the situation with black people should never have been allowed to exist in the first place.
Prosecutors told the jury they may call up to 38 witnesses in the Sentencing Phase, most of whom are victims' family members. Roof filed a motion objecting to so many such witnesses giving emotional testimony; he doesn't believe that's fair.
Dylann Roof then made his opening statements. It was the first time the jury heard from him in-person. He did not speak during the Guilt Phase of his trial (though the jury did see/hear tape of his confession).
Roof told the jury that he was not mentally ill. He told them he would not lie to them, directly nor through a legal representative. He does not appear intent on cross-examining any of the prosecution's witnesses or presenting any evidence on his own behalf.
The Sentencing Phase is expected to complete by the middle of next week. After the jury decides whether Roof will live or die in this hate-crime federal trial, Roof faces trial for the murder charges with a possible death sentence by the state of South Carolina.
Refs:
http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/04/us/dyl....html?_r=0