Roof given nine life sentences in state church killings case
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Dylann Roof, a white supremacist from the Columbia area, pleaded guilty on Monday to nine murder charges in state court for the slayings of nine victims at an AfricanAmerican church in Charleston.
Under the plea agreement, he was sentenced to nine sentences of life in prison, to be spent in a federal prison, as he awaits his death sentence after being found guilty in federal court in December on murder and hate crime charges. He also pleaded guilty to three attempted murder charges and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Survivors and family members of those killed were allowed to address Judge J.C. Nicholson before the sentence was handed down.
The Rev. Eric Manning of Mother Emanuel AME explained the deep cut the killings made in the congregation. “Mother Emanuel has been a place where several of the victims’ families and survivors have come together and prayed together. ... We visit the crime scene every day.
“We would indulge and encourage this court to just remember that the church as well as the families and the survivors have paid a dear and deep price.” He later added: “Hate will never win.”
State Sen. Gerald Malloy spoke on behalf of the family of Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the first victim killed. Pinckney served in the state Senate with Malloy.
Malloy read a statement from Jennifer Pinckney, Clementa Pinckney’s widow: “It is our hope that everyone finds peace.”
Melvin Graham spoke on behalf of his family about the death of his sister, Cynthia Hurd. “This situation has tested our faith in every way possible. But I’m glad to say that we’re still holding on.”
Graham read a letter Hurd sent about what was special about Easter: “’It reminds me that death is not forever, and it reminds me that we will be reunited one day again.’”