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Capital punishment for accused S.C. church shooter 'appropriate,' lead prosecutor says

"Forgiveness does not necessarily mean forgoing consequences," prosecutor Scarlett A. Wilson said at a Thursday news conference.

By Doug G. Ware
Surveillance footage from the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shows alleged gunman, Dylann Roof. File Photo courtesy of Charleston Police Department
1 of 3 | Surveillance footage from the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shows alleged gunman, Dylann Roof. File Photo courtesy of Charleston Police Department

CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept. 3 (UPI) -- The state of South Carolina will seek the death penalty against accused Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof, the lead prosecutor in the case said Thursday.

At a news conference, Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett A. Wilson said her office will pursue the capital punishment of Roof -- who is accused of gunning down nine people at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in June.

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"None of us has the heart for vengeance. We all have the resolve to seek and to find justice in this case," said Wilson, who was solely responsible for deciding whether to try and put Roof to death.

A court filing earlier Thursday was the first official word that Wilson had decided to seek capital punishment.

Roof, 21, faces nine state counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and a weapons charge in the massacre. Additionally, he faces nearly 50 federal hate crime and weapons charges.

The court document said the decision to seek the death penalty is based on two aggravating factors, WCSC-TV reported Thursday. It says Roof "knowingly created a great risk of death to more than one person in a public place by means of a weapon or device which normally would be hazardous to the lives of more than one person," and "two or more persons were murdered by Dylann Storm Roof by one act or pursuant to one scheme or course of conduct."

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Wilson said she understands that some people, including the relatives of some victims, oppose the death penalty on religious or philosophical grounds -- but felt, in this case, the sought punishment fits the crime.

"Some believe the death penalty is just too easy. Others believe that the death penalty, for the murders at the Mother Emanuel Church, is entirely appropriate," Wilson said at the news conference. "All understand my responsibility and have shown great respect, even deference, for my decision to seek the death penalty for the killings ... For that I am truly, truly grateful."

Roof, an accused white supremacist, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Nine people were killed at the historic Charleston church -- including its pastor, South Carolina state Rep. Clementa Pickney -- in the June 17 attack.

"In bestowing the responsibility to the state solicitors, our legislature showed that they understand the need for accountability -- not only to victims and victims' families, but to our entire community," Wilson said. "We all agree that forgiveness can be an important part of the healing process.

"But know that forgiveness does not necessarily mean forgoing consequences."

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