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Charleston Church Shooting

Nine people were shot and killed during a Bible study session at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Mic Smith / for NBC News

Charleston Victim's Kin Says Trial Revealed 'Radical Truth' About Racism

Victim's Kin: Charleston Trial Exposed 'Radical Truth' of Racism

Dylann Roof's trial showed that the Emanuel AME Church massacre was "a racist hate crime" and not the result of mental illness, Alana Simmons says.

Jason Miczek / Reuters file

Dylann Roof Sentenced to Death for Charleston Church Massacre

Dylann Roof Sentenced to Death for Charleston Church Massacre

An admitted white supremacist was sentenced to death Wednesday for killing nine black worshipers who'd invited him to study the Bible with them at a South Carolina church in 2015, ending a two-phase federal trial that exposed the killer's hate-fueled motives and plumbed the chasms of grief left by the victims' deaths. The jury, the same that convicted Dylann Roof in the murders last month, announced its verdict after deliberating less than three hours.

Robert Maniscalco

Charleston Massacre Trial Concludes With Dylann Roof Saying 'I Had to Do It'

'I Had to Do It,' Charleston Church Killer Tells Jury

Dylann Roof took issue with prosecutors' arguments that he was a hateful person, but seemed resigned to receiving the death penalty.

Charleston Church Massacre: Dylann Roof Calls No Witness, Offers No Evidence in Death Penalty Hearings

Federal prosecutors rested their case on Monday that convicted murderer Dylann Roof should be executed. So did Roof, without calling a single witness.

Emotional Testimony Continues in Church Massacre Death Penalty Trial

Roof complained to the judge that some of the memories of victims 'would be better shared at my formal sentencing than in my capital trial.'

At Dylann Roof Penalty Trial, Victims' Families Shift Focus From the Killer

To many in the courtroom, Dylann Roof’s message — however muddled and incomplete — was beside the point. Witnesses, instead, focused on the victims.

Dylann Roof Tells Jury: 'There Is Nothing Wrong With Me Psychologically'

"I chose to represent myself to prevent my lawyers from presenting mental health evaluation," Roof told the jury, which is weighing the death penalty.

Opinion: Why Dylann Roof Has a Right to the Death Penalty

Roof has a constitutional right not to present a defense, to choose to increase the likelihood he'll get the death penalty.

Restricting Dylann Roof's Courtroom Movement Could Pose Problems: Experts

Death penalty experts said an order that restricts the movement of Dylann Roof could unfairly prejudice the jury.

Dylann Roof, Facing Death, Will Present No Evidence During Sentencing

A jury will meet next month to determine whether Roof, 22, should be sentenced to death for killing nine worshippers at an African-American church.

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Hear Charleston Church Shooting Survivor's 911 Call

Polly Sheppard called 911 while hiding under a table during the shooting at Emanuel AME church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Charleston Massacre Survivor Says Suspect Dylann Roof Opened Fire as Victims Stood to Pray

Survivor Polly Sheppard said she dove under a table when the shooting started and could see bullet casings as they fell from the gun.

Charleston Massacre Suspect Dylann Roof Had List of Churches in His Car

Dylann Roof, a self-proclaimed white supremacist, faces the death penalty.

Charleston Massacre: Dylann Roof's Mom Had Heart Attack During Trial, Attorney Says

Roof's attorney mentioned the heart attack in court documents asking for a mistrial saying a survivor's testimony was so emotional that 'spectators and even court personnel were crying with her.' U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel denied the mistrial request.

Charleston Church Massacre Survivor Tells of Watching Son Die as Trial Begins

'That is when he put about five bullets into my son,' Felicia Sanders said through tears. 'There were 77 shots in that room from someone we thought was looking for the Lord.'

Judge Denies Motion to Delay Charleston Church Shooting Suspect Dylann Roof's Trial Over Slager Outrage

Lawyers for Dylann Roof said outrage over this week's mistrial in the case of ex-cop Michael Slager could taint the jury. The judge disagreed.

Judge Allows Dylann Roof to Hire Back His Lawyers for Guilt Phase of Trial

A federal judge will allow Dylann Roof to hire back his lawyers for the guilt phase of his trial, which begins this week in Charleston, South Carolina.

Dylann Roof, Charleston Church Shooting Suspect, Can Act as His Own Attorney

Dylann Roof's request came against his lawyers' advice, and U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel said he would reluctantly accept the "unwise" decision.

Accused Charleston Church Shooter's Hate Crimes Trial to Restart Monday

Dylann Roof's federal trial was delayed earlier this month after his lawyers suggested he might not be competent. A judge ruled Friday that he is.

Judge: Dylann Roof Competent to Stand Trial in Charleston Church Shooting

A judge has ruled that Dylann Roof is competent to stand trial for the killing of nine black worshipers at a South Carolina church.

Charleston Church Shooting: Jury Selection Begins in Dylann Roof Federal Trial

Roof, a professed white supremacist, is charged with killing nine people at Charleston's Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church last year.

Dylann Roof, Accused Church Shooter, Should Not Ask Jury for Mercy: Feds

Prosecutors want the defense barred from suggesting to the jury before deliberations that they don't have to recommend the death penalty.

Accused Charleston Church Shooter Dylann Roof Had Two Hidden Manifestos: Court Docs

The manifestos, which were handwritten, were found in Roof’s car and jail cell, court documents say.

Dylann Roof, Accused Charleston Church Shooter, Assaulted in Jail

Roof faces the death penalty in upcoming trials in both federal and state courts.

Attorneys for Charleston Church Shooter Dylann Roof File Death Penalty Challenge

Lawyers for Dylann Roof argue in a motion filed Monday that the death penalty and federal death penalty law are unconstitutional.

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Wife of Slain Charleston Pastor Clementa Pinckney Recounts His Last Moments

Rev. Clementa Pickney was the pastor at Emanuel A.M.E. Church and was gunned down along with eight others during a bible study one year ago.

Charleston Church Shootings: Dylann Roof Wants to Waive Trial

But lawyers for the white supremacist accused of killing nine people at a black church say prosecutors are determined to bring him to trial.

Justice Department Will Seek Death Penalty for Alleged Charleston Church Shooter Dylann Roof

Roof is charged with nine counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

South Carolina Church Shooting Suspect's Friend, Joey Meek, to Plead Guilty

Joey Meek, 21, has agreed to plead guilty to lying to authorities and failure to report a crime.

Judge Delays Trial Against Charleston Church Shooter Dylann Roof Until January

A South Carolina judge has delayed the death penalty trial of Dylann Roof, who is charged with killing nine people at a Charleston church last year.

Friend of Charleston Church Massacre Suspect Receives Lower Bond

U.S. Magistrate Judge Shiva Hodges lowered Joey Meek's bond Thursday to $25,000, down from the $100,000 that was set after his arrest last month.

Federal Trial Delayed for Charleston Church Shooter Dylann Roof

Jury selection had been set to begin next month, but a U.S. district judge agreed to push the trial back until at least January.

Joseph Meek, Friend of Church Shooting Defendant Dylann Roof, Charged With Lying

Meek was due to appear in federal court on Friday for an arraignment.

Friend of Charleston Church Shooter Dylann Roof Arrested

The charges were not immediately available, but it was reported earlier this month he was under investigation for making false statements.

Charleston Church Shooter Dylann Roof 'Caught Us With Our Eyes Closed'

The gunman who ambushed a Charleston church Bible study group opened fire on them during a moment of quiet prayer, a survivor told NBC News.

Dylann Roof, Charleston Church Shooting Suspect, to Face Death Penalty: Prosecutors

Roof faces state charges including nine murder counts in the June 17 slayings at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Nashville Hotel Nixes Conference for Group Cited by Charleston Church Gunman

The Council of Conservative Citizens, which is categorized as a white supremacist hate group, is now scrambling to find a new venue.

AME Leader Reflects on Charleston, Sidesteps Gay Marriage in National Address

AME leader reflects on Charleston shootings, praises Black Lives Matter movement and sidesteps gay marriage in national address.

Accused South Carolina Church Shooter Dylann Roof Wants to Plead Guilty, Lawyer Says

Dylann Roof's lawyers don't want to make the offer until authorities decide whether they will seek the death penalty.

AG Lynch: Dylann Roof Indicted on 33 Counts, Hate Crime Charges

Dylann Roof, who said he shot nine people at a black church in Charleston was indicted on 33 counts, including hate crime charges.

Charleston Church Shooter Dylann Roof Appears in Court

A trial date was tentatively set for July 11, 2016, in the potential capitol murder case against Roof.

Dylann Roof's Gun Purchase Helped by Clerical Error

A clerical blunder was one of several oversights that permitted Dylann Roof to buy the firearm he used to kill nine people in a South Carolina church.

Nikki Haley Calls Extra Political Attention 'Painful'

Gov. Nikki Haley, R-SC, described her move into the national spotlight as "painful" because the focus should be on those who died in the Charleston tragedy.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley Calls Roof's Background Check Failure an 'FBI Issue'

The governor of South Carolina said that Dylann Roof's background check failure was a federal problem & not a state one.

Mistakes in Dylann Roof's Background Check Fuel Gun Law Debate

Dylann Roof should not have been allowed to buy the gun he allegedly used to kill nine people in a Charleston church, the FBI said Friday.

FBI Says Dylann Roof Should Not Have Been Sold Gun

A top FBI officials said Dylann Roof should not have been able to purchase the gun used in South Carolina church shooting.

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The Confederate Flag Is Coming Down, But...

Black people in South Carolina still face real, systemic discrimination.

Charleston Families, Lawmakers Call for Gun Policy Reform

Family members of people who were killed by gun violence stood next to top Democrats as part of a call for stricter gun control measures on Wednesday.

Dylann Roof Indicted for Murder in Charleston Church Massacre

The 21-year-old is also the subject of a separate federal hate-crimes probe.

Dylann Roof's Sister Seeks Wedding Donations, then Abandons Campaign

The sister of accused Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof launched a campaign to raise money to cover the costs of her abandoned wedding.

'They Will Not Have Died in Vain': Funerals Held for Three Charleston Victims

"They will not have died in vain," South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said of the nine victims of the church massacre.

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Obama Among Thousand at Reverend Pinckney Funeral

Mourners joined in song and sorrow at the funeral for slain Charleston pastor and South Carolina State Senator Rev. Clementa Pinckney.

Man Who Lost Loved One in Sikh Temple Shooting Seeks to Unite After Tragedy

Pardeep Kaleka, whose father was killed in 2012, founded Serve 2 Unite, a nonprofit that works in the Milwaukee schools to foster peace through art.

President Obama Delivers Eulogy for Rev. Clementa Pinckney

Pinckney was one of nine people slain at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Consoler-in-Chief: Obama Again Comforts Nation After Shootings

From Aurora, Colorado to most recently, Charleston, South Carolina, President Obama has had to comment numerous times on deadly gun violence in America.

Mourners Pay Respects to Rev. Clementa Pinckney at Charleston's Emanuel AME Church

Pinckney was one of nine people fatally shot by alleged gunman Dylann Roof at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston June 17.

Ethel Lance and Sharonda Coleman-Singleton Remembered as Funerals Begin in Charleston

Police checked bags and dignitaries attended as services began for the nine victims of a gun rampage.

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SC Gov. Haley: Sharonda Singleton Helped Teach America Forgiveness

Gov. Nikki Haley briefly addressed members of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church during funeral services for Rev. Sharonda Singleton, one of the nine people killed in a shooting at neighboring Emanuel AME Church.

Charleston's Emanuel AME Church Resumes Bible Study With Tears and Laughter

Almost 100 people turned out for the first Wednesday Bible study at Emanuel AME Church since its pastor and eight others were killed a week ago.

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Charleston Church Resumes Bible Study

Worshippers gathered for the first Wednesday Bible study at Emanuel AME Church since the shooting a week ago.

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Protesters Disrupt Charleston Memorial

Marchers chanting "Never forgive, never forget!" converge on Emanuel A.M.E. church, interrupting group gathered to pay respects to massacre victims. WCBD's Travis Rice reports.

Charleston Shooting: Federal Public Defenders Appointed to Represent Dylann Roof

Federal public defenders have been appointed to represent Dylann Roof for the shooting deaths last week at an African-American church in South Carolina.

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Church Shooting Victim Rev. Pinckney Lies in Honor at SC Capitol

The late Rev. Pinckney was brought to lie in honor at the South Carolina State House, while a Confederate flag flew outside.

Pastor Clementa Pinckney's Body Carried Past Confederate Flag Into S.C. Capitol

He was one of nine victims of the church massacre in Charleston.

Bishop of Charleston Shooter Dylann Roof's Family Says 'They Are Grieving'

Rev. Herman Yoos told NBC News that he visited the Roof family at their home Saturday, and they decided to attend church as they grieved.

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Take it Down: Chorus to Remove Confederate Flag Grows Louder

Calls for taking down the Confederate flag from South Carolina's State House grounds in Columbia, have grown since the shooting in Charleston.

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Sen. Graham: Mississippi Should Also Redesign Its Flag

Senator and Presidential Candidate Lindsey Graham, who is behind a push to remove the Confederate flag from South Carolina's state capitol, explains why he feels it is time for Mississippi to remove the controversial emblem from its state flag.

U.S. House of Representatives Observes Moment of Silence for Charleston Victims

The moment of silence was led by Rep. Mark Sanford, a former governor of South Carolina, and the names of the nine victims were read.

Graham: Church Service Changed My Mind on Confederate Flag

Graham says it was the Sunday service at the church where nine people were killed that helped him conclude the Confederate flag needs to be removed from his state's Capitol.

Charleston Church Gunman Dylann Roof Bought Pistol Locally: Officials

Law enforcement officials say the transaction was entirely legal, despite a pending drug charge.

Charleston Church Shootings: Police Release Video of Dylann Roof's Arrest

Police video shows the uneventful arrest of Dylann Roof, the white man accused of gunning down nine people at a black South Carolina church.

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Dylann Roof Arrest Caught on Dashcam Video

Dashcam video shows Charleston Church shooter Dylann Roof being taken into custody by police in Shelby, North Carolina.

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How Did Dylann Roof Buy Gun Despite Pending Drug Charge?

The accused Charleston shooter was able to purchase a gun even though he was facing a pending drug charge.

Don't Blame Us for Church Shootings, Council of Conservative Citizens Says

A group cited in a manifesto purportedly written by Dylann Roof said it is not "responsible for the actions" of people "educated" by its website.

Inspired by Injustice, Politicians Speak Boldly on Race

American politicians, from Republicans in South Carolina to President Barack Obama, are increasingly addressing issues of race in frank terms.

'Never Want to Offend': Walmart Pulls Confederate Flag Merchandise

Confederate-themed goods vanished from Walmart's website as the company said it was pulling the merchandise after the Charleston church shootings.

Obama Uses N-Word, Says Slavery Still 'Casts a Long Shadow'

President Barack Obama said the United States has not overcome its history of racism and is using the N-word to make his case.

Obama to Deliver Eulogy for Slain S.C. Pastor Clementa Pinckney

President Barack Obama will deliver the eulogy for the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, one of nine people killed in the South Carolina church shootings.

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Gov. Haley: 'It's Time to Remove the Flag from the Capitol Grounds'

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley says, "Today, we are here in a moment of unity in our state, without ill will to say it’s time to remove the flag from our capitol grounds."

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Hear People React to Obama's Podcast Interview on Racism in the U.S.

Days after a deadly shooting in Charleston, President Obama gave a wide-ranging interview on race in the U.S. Here's how people are reacting.

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Thousands Join Unity Rally in Charleston

Thousands of people spanned the Ravenel bridge connecting Mount Pleasant with Charleston, South Carolina, in a show of support for the nine people killed in the church shooting.

Charleston Shooting: Church Reopens For 'Healing' Service

The historic church where nine people were shot dead reopened its doors early Sunday, with thousands lining up to attend an emotional service.

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Roof Family Pastor Praises Charleston Families

Reverend Herman R. Yoos ministered to the family of Dylann Roof and praises the forgiveness show by the families of the 9 victims in Charleston.

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Parishioners Clean Site of Grisly Church Killings

Parishioners cleaned a room in the basement of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church on Sunday where a pastor and eight others were killed in a mass shooting.

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Charleston Unites as Church Opens Doors for Sunday Service

The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church opened its doors for Sunday service as they continue to grieve the shooting death of nine members.

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After Massacre, Sunday Service Begins With Cheers at Emanuel AME

A roaring crowd of churchgoers cheers Rev. Norvel Goffas he begins Sunday service inside the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., after nine people were shot to death during a bible study.

Dylann Roof Said He Wanted to 'Do Something Crazy' Before Charleston Church Shooting

Joey Meek said he had never heard Roof say anything racist except for one night when Roof was drinking vodka heavily.

Charleston Church to Hold Sunday Service After Shooting

"We will not let this little person that did this horrible act, we will not let this destroy us," one parishioner said.

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Dylann Roof Friend: I Don't Remember Him Having Hate Toward Anyone

Joey Meek, who has known Charleston Church shooting suspect Dylann Roof since they were young teens, describe the person he knows and also discusses some of the events leading up to the shooting at Emanuel AME Church.

Racist Website Appears to Belong to Charleston Church Shooter Dylann Roof

The site shows a stone-faced Dylann Roof holding weapons, visiting a cemetery for Confederate soldiers, and burning an American flag.

Judge Who Presided Over Dylann Roof Bond Hearing Was Reprimanded for Racial Slur

Charleston County Magistrate James Gosnell Jr. made the comments during a court hearing over a decade ago.

Charleston Church Shooter Dylann Roof Was Loner Caught in 'Internet Evil': Family

Relatives of Dylann Roof, the 21-year-old charged with killing nine people at a church, said that he was quiet and shy, but a "sweet" person.

Hillary Clinton After Charleston Shooting: Race Remains 'Deep Fault Line'

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Saturday echoed president Barack Obama's call for "common sense" gun reforms after a fatal church shooting.

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Hillary Clinton on Church Shooting: 'My Heart is Bursting For Them'

Speaking at a conference on U.S. Mayors, Hillary Clinton addresses the church shooting in Charleston, S.C., the need for gun control, and the American with racism.

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Memorial in front of Charleston Church Grows

Memorial grows in front of an historical black church where for nine people were killed when a gunman opened fire.

With Washington Stymied, It's Up to the States to Pass Gun Reform

As President Obama expresses frustration over Washington politics, gun policy reform has increasingly moved to the nation's state legislatures.

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South Carolina in Shock After Worshippers Shot Dead at Historic Church

A gunman opened fire on a prayer meeting killing nine people at the historic Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C.

Charleston Church Shooting: Tributes Paid to 'Kind-Hearted' Victims

Some of the nine victims of the Charleston, South Carolina church shooting were remembered as “positive” and “kind-hearted” Thursday.

Charleston Church Shooter Dylann Roof Hinted of Attack, Friend Says

The white man accused of gunning down nine people at a historic black church allegedly mentioned carrying out an attack a week before the murders.

Charleston Church Shooting: Thousands Gather to Honor Victims

"We must keep the emotion that we feel so strongly now," Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. told those who gathered in a sports arena Friday night.

Charleston Church Shooting

Related

Victim's Kin: Charleston Trial Exposed 'Radical Truth' of Racism

Dylann Roof Sentenced to Death for Charleston Church Massacre

'I Had to Do It,' Charleston Church Killer Tells Jury