State seeks independent mental analysis of accused killer Dylann Roof

CHARLESTON, S.C., April 21 (UPI) -- South Carolina prosecutors in the Dylann Roof trial requested an independent mental evaluation of the alleged killer of nine people at a Charleston church.

Roof, 22, is charged with counts of murder, attempted murder and firearms possession in the June 2015 deaths of nine African-American parishioners in the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

The request by the prosecution presumes the defense will provide a mental evaluation, and the prosecution seeks to develop an evaluation of its own. Last week the court granted a continuance of up to six months after the defense said it required more time to prepare its case. Roof's trial is scheduled to begin on Jan. 17.

Roof could face the death penalty if convicted in the state court. He also faces a federal court trial, where prosecutors have not yet decided if they will seek the death penalty. Federal officials regard Roof's actions as a hate crime, citing his alleged white supremacist writing as evidence he targeted African-American victims.