‘I forgive you’: Relatives confront Charleston shooting suspect in court

Dylann Roof has made a dramatic court appearance, with relatives of some of the victims of the Charleston church shooting allowed to address him directly. Roof appeared via video link, handcuffed and dressed in a jail jumpsuit. He spoke only to answer questions, saying his age and that he was unemployed. He looked straight ahead and did not appear to react as the relatives made their tearful statements during the 13-minute hearing.

I forgive you.

Daughter of Ethel Lance, one of the victims

The mother of Tywanza Sanders, Felicia, told Roof that “every fibre in my body hurts, and I’ll never be the same”. "Twanza was my hero,“ said the woman, who survived the attack by pretending to be dead as she lay on top of her granddaughter to protect her. "May God have mercy on you." Roof, a white 21-year-old, is charged with nine counts of murder and possession of a firearm in connection with the shooting spree at the black church in Charleston, where all victims were African-American. He remains in custody.

We will absolutely want him to have the death penalty.

Governor Nikki Haley told NBC

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