The suspect in the Mother Emmanuel AME church shooting that killed nine people last June has reneged on his request to represent himself in court. Dylann Roof is now asking to re-hire his lawyers for the guilt phase of his federal murder trial. A judge granted this request, but warned that he cannot change his mind again.
Dylann Roof, 22, asked U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel over the weekend if he could use his attorneys during the guilt phase, but still be his own lawyer during the penalty phase.
Prosecutors have asked for the death penalty. Such cases are split into two parts: the guilt phase, and then a separate portion that focuses on whether the defendant will be sentenced to death, or life in prison.
If convicted, Roof faces the death penalty. He's charged in both federal and state courts. Roof was ruled competent to stand trial late last month. Roof has confessed to the crime.
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