Dylann Roof competent to stand trial, judge rules

Catherine E. Shoichet
By Keith O'Shea and Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 10:10 AM EST, Mon November 28, 2016
Dylann Roof fatally shot nine people at a historic African American church in Charleston, South Carolina last year. His trial is set to begin in early 2017.
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Dylann Roof facing trial in church killings
00:45 - Source: CNN

Story highlights

Jury selection is scheduled to resume on Monday

The judge had halted it for a competency evaluation

CNN  — 

Dylann Roof is competent to stand trial, a federal judge ruled Friday.

In his order, U.S. District Judge Richard Mark Gergel said he was sealing a document detailing the factual reasons behind his finding. Public disclosure could put Roof’s right to a fair trial in jeopardy, he said.

Roof is accused of killing nine people at the Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, in June 2015.

In this image from the video uplink from the detention center to the courtroom, Dylann Roof appears at a bond hearing June 19, 2015, in South Carolina. Roof is charged with nine counts of murder and firearms charges in the shooting deaths at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17.
In this image from the video uplink from the detention center to the courtroom, Dylann Roof appears at a bond hearing June 19, 2015, in South Carolina. Roof is charged with nine counts of murder and firearms charges in the shooting deaths at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17.
Grace Beahm-Pool/Getty Images
Dylann Roof, the 21-year-old charged with murdering nine people in a church shooting on Wednesday, June 17, is escorted by police in Shelby, North Carolina, on Thursday, June 18.
Dylann Roof, the 21-year-old charged with murdering nine people in a church shooting on Wednesday, June 17, is escorted by police in Shelby, North Carolina, on Thursday, June 18.
Chuck Burton/AP
Law enforcement officers in Charleston, South Carolina, stand guard near the scene of the shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Law enforcement officers in Charleston, South Carolina, stand guard near the scene of the shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
David Goldman/AP
A police officer directs a police vehicle in front of the church on June 18.
A police officer directs a police vehicle in front of the church on June 18.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Two law enforcement officials said Roof confessed. Roof said he wanted to start a race war, one of the officials said.
Two law enforcement officials said Roof confessed. Roof said he wanted to start a race war, one of the officials said.
Charleston County Sheriff
Police in Charleston close off a section of Calhoun Street early on June 18, after the shooting. The steeple of the church is visible in the background.
Police in Charleston close off a section of Calhoun Street early on June 18, after the shooting. The steeple of the church is visible in the background.
David Goldman/AP
Charleston police officers search for the shooting suspect outside the church on Wednesday, June 17.
Charleston police officers search for the shooting suspect outside the church on Wednesday, June 17.
Matthew Fortner/The Post And Courier via AP
People in Charleston pray following the shooting on June 17.
People in Charleston pray following the shooting on June 17.
David Goldman/AP
A woman joins a prayer circle on June 17.
A woman joins a prayer circle on June 17.
David Goldman/AP
A man kneels across the street from where police gathered outside the church on June 17.
A man kneels across the street from where police gathered outside the church on June 17.
Wade Spees/The Post And Courier/AP
Police gather at the scene of the shooting on June 17. The church was formed in 1816.
Police gather at the scene of the shooting on June 17. The church was formed in 1816.
Wade Spees/The Post And Courier/AP
People pray in a hotel parking lot across the street from the scene of the shooting on June 17. Every Wednesday evening, the church holds a Bible study in its basement.
People pray in a hotel parking lot across the street from the scene of the shooting on June 17. Every Wednesday evening, the church holds a Bible study in its basement.
David Goldman/ap
An armed police officer moves up Calhoun Street on June 17.
An armed police officer moves up Calhoun Street on June 17.
Wade Spees/The Post And Courier/AP
People gather after the shooting.
People gather after the shooting.
David Goldman/AP
Police stand outside the church.
Police stand outside the church.
Wade Spees/The Post And Courier/AP
Police close off a section of Calhoun Street near the scene of the shooting.
Police close off a section of Calhoun Street near the scene of the shooting.
David Goldman/AP
Police in Charleston released this security-camera image that they say shows Roof entering the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Police in Charleston released this security-camera image that they say shows Roof entering the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
City of Charleston
Charleston church shooting