Roof gambles on death trial by lone judge

[struggle4progress]

BY JOHN MONK
JUNE 9, 2016 6:15 PM

Accused Charleston church hate crimes killer Dylann Roof has notified U.S. District Court Judge Richard Gergel that he does not want to be tried by a jury in his upcoming death penalty case.

In a filing Thursday in federal court, Roof’s lawyers said they do not want a jury to decide either phase of his trial.

If Gergel grants Roof’s request, that would mean Gergel would hear the entire case by himself. He would preside over the guilt or innocence phase, and then make the lone decision as to sentence Roof to death or grant him a sentence of life without parole.

Death penalty trials have two phases – the first phase for guilt or innocence, and a second phase where a jury – or a lone judge – decides whether to give the defendant life without parole or death ...

http://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article82857192.html

[NutmegYankee]

1. Well, if he gets someone like that Stanford judge...

[Xipe Totec]

2. Not much of a gamble

With a jury trial he'd be lucky if they didn't lynch him in the court room.

[malaise]

3. A year passes so quickly

I remember that night and the day and weeks that followed as if they were yesterday.

Did they change the judge?

[struggle4progress]

4. I think Gergel was assigned to this case last July