Dylann Roof asks to have attorneys back for part of trial

CHARLESTON, S.C., Dec. 5 (UPI) -- A federal judge in South Carolina on Monday ruled that Dylann Roof may have his attorneys present during the guilt phase of his trial but not during the penalty phase.

After insisting he be permitted to represent himself, Roof, accused in the shooting death of nine people at a South Carolina church, changed his mind about using his attorneys.

In a handwritten note sent to U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel, Roof asked that his lawyers be reinstated for the guilt part of his trial this week, but that he still be permitted to represent himself during sentencing.

Roof's lead attorney, David Bruck, was expected to return to handling pretrial motions Monday, the Charleston Post and Courier reported.

Roof faces 33 federal charges connected to the 2015 shooting and killing of nine parishioners at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church after posting a four-page manifesto of racism and hate on the Internet.

Gergel last week advised Roof that representing himself was a mistake, but permitted it anyway and told his lawyers to act as "standby counsel." During proceedings last week, they passed him notes in an effort to advise him during jury selection.

"I would like to ask if my lawyers can represent me for the guilt phase of the trial only," Roof wrote in the note he sent to the judge. "Can you let me have them back for the guilt phase, and then let me represent myself for the sentencing phase of the trial?"

Roof's lawyers filed on Friday asking Gergel to reinstate them against Roof's will because they believe he is unable to stand as his own lawyer, if for no other reason than his 33-count murder trial is significantly complicated.

The lawyers have previously stated they are unsure why he wants to represent himself, speculating he may either want to avoid embarrassing evidence from coming out or is trying to sabotage the case.

Opening statements in the trial are scheduled to start Wednesday.