Dylann Roof, known better for his acts than his name, the young man who preyed upon the kindness of those who welecomed him into the AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, may not be competent to stand trial.
As court documents are released, it’s been revealed that Dylann Roof has been ordered to endure another competency hearing this week, Roof was arrested on site at after murdering 9 members of the AME Church in June of 2015. With respect to our justice system, send this boy to trial. We know he’s “off” or he wouldn’t have done what he did. Those families deserve justice and America needs to see Roof face consequences.
From Charleston, The Post and Courier:
A newly unsealed defense motion in accused Emanuel AME Church shooter Dylann Roof’s federal trial indicates a judge found reason to believe his mental state might have left him incompetent to stand trial, leading to an evaluation now underway.
U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel on Friday unsealed the defense motion that deals with a last-minute competency evaluation being conducted on Roof, and a Nov. 16 hearing scheduled to discuss its findings. Some portions were redacted.
“The Court’s finding that there is reasonable cause to believe that the defendant may presently be suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering him mentally incompetent to stand trial” does not alter the need to protect certain of Roof’s rights, the defense filing states.
The sentence before that is blacked out, making it difficult to know the full context.
Earlier court filings have indicated defense lawyers plan to provide evidence of a “mental disease or defect or any other mental condition.” Defense attorneys and prosecutors declined to comment.
If we’re serious about Criminal Justice reform it needs to be at all levels. Starting from the rights protected to us by the Constitution to the repair of the existing appellate system.
Roof has struggled since being behind bars facing backlash from other prisoners, he was attacked in the showers in August. Turns out that being a mass murdering neo nazi, isn’t great for the general population of Prison, much like child molesters face similar welcoming committees. This is what happens behind our prison walls so, perhaps that should be addressed in reforms as well.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member