Dylann Roof wants a new federal trial

Dylann Roof's attorneys argued his use of the Internet did not constitute enough to warrant the use of the commerce clause for federal jurisdiction.

TheGrio Staff

Feb 13, 2017

Dylann Roof, who was convicted of killing nine church goers at Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church in June 2015, wants a new federal trial, claiming that prosecutors failed to prove that the methods by which he committed the crime fell under the commerce clause, meaning prosecutors might not have had the jurisdiction to try him.

Roof’s attorneys argued that his use of the Internet and purchases from another state were for “incidental and everyday use” and did not constitute enough to warrant the use of the commerce clause for federal jurisdiction.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel overruled these challenges, and the charges against Roof will remain.

Roof also fired his lawyers during his trial during the sentencing phase of his trial during a discussion of his mental state that he did not want to become public.

He is still in custody at the Charleston County jail awaiting a death penalty trial in state court.