Trial of accused Charleston church shooter delayed again as prosecutors mull capital case

COLUMBIA, S.C., April 5 (UPI) -- For the fourth time in six months, a South Carolina judge on Tuesday delayed the start of a federal trial for accused Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof, largely because prosecutors have not yet determined whether they will seek the death penalty in the case.

District Judge Richard M. Gergel granted the continuance requested by prosecutors.

Although he acquiesced to the prosecutors' request, Gergel said his patience is wearing thin and he wants to get a hard trial date set.

"We are getting to a point where we need to make a decision," the judge said. "Our patience is running out. There are victims here. They have a right to put this behind them."

Roof, 22, faces 33 federal charges stemming from the June 18 shooting at the historically black Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina's second-largest city. Nine people died in the massacre, which prosecutors said was motivated by racial hatred.

Roof's court-appointed public defender has said the Justice Department's decision regarding capital punishment is one that will directly influence his client's plea.

"If the decision is not to seek the death penalty, there will be no need for a trial. There will be a guilty plea," Bruck said Tuesday.

A separate state trial, in which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, is scheduled to begin July 11.