In this image from a video uplink from the detention center to the courtroom, Dylann Roof appears at Centralized Bond Hearing Court in North Charleston, S.C. on June 19, 2015. Grace Beahm-Pool/Getty Images
The decision as to whether accused Charleston, S.C., church shooter Dylann Roof will face the death penalty in his federal case is in its final stages, the Associated Press reports.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Richardson confirmed Tuesday that the decision is now before U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch. Roof is charged with federal hate crimes and other counts in the shooting deaths of nine black worshippers at Emanuel African Methodist Church, including state Sen. Clementa Pinckney, who was also pastor at Mother Emanuel.
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Roof's attorneys and Richardson appeared in court to discuss updates in the case. Roof was not present.
Roof also faces nine counts of murder in state court. The state of South Carolina is pushing for the death penality in the state trial, which is set for July.
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The trial date for Roof's federal case is yet to be determined.
