First of Hundreds of Jurors Report in Black Church Massacre Trial

By Associated Press

26 September 16

ylann Roof, charged with hate crimes and obstruction of religion in the Charleston church massacre, sat in a federal courtroom Monday looking down and generally avoiding eye contact with the potential jurors who could sentence him to death.

The first of hundreds of potential jurors reported to the courthouse in the city's historic district for initial screening in the case stemming from the slaying of nine black parishioners during a Bible study at Emanuel AME Church in June of 2015.

Roof, 22, dressed in a gray-and-white-striped prison jumpsuit, sat between his attorneys facing the jury pool. He faces 33 federal counts.

Prosecutors allege Roof had talked of starting a race war before the killings and posed for online photos with the Confederate battle flag.

Courthouse security was tight and about a dozen Department of Homeland Security personnel were at the courthouse entrances while two of the agency's vans were parked on the street. A court spokesman said some of the potential jurors were brought to the courthouse by bus after meeting at another location.

But the high-profile case began quietly, and a courtroom set aside for the public had only about two dozen people, most of them reporters.

About 3,000 jurors were issued summonses over the summer. Panels of 80 are being called four times a day during the coming days for initial screening.

Several potential jurors from the first panel were excused from serving or had their jury service deferred. The remaining jurors were then escorted to another room where they were asked to fill out a detailed questionnaire about what they know about the Roof case.

Individual questioning of jurors begins in early November.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel said testimony probably would not start until late November or early December. He told the jurors they will not be sequestered and there will be no court sessions over Thanksgiving or Christmas.

He said that while some people think jury service is a burden, he said "it's an honor to be an American citizen and it's an honor to be a juror."

He added that while the potential jurors have not heard any testimony, they should avoid any news coverage of the case and not discuss it with anyone or try to do their own research.

Federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Roof's attorneys say he is willing to plead guilty and serve life if the death penalty is taken off the table.

Roof also faces nine murder charges in state court in a trial that is set to begin next year. The state is also seeking the death penalty.