Dylann Roof: accused Charleston church gunman asks for defense team back

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

The white man charged with the shooting deaths of nine black parishioners at a South Carolina church asked a judge on Sunday if he could have his defense team back, at least temporarily.

In a handwritten request, Dylann Roof asked the US district judge Richard Gergel to bring his defense team back on board for the guilt phase of his federal death penalty trial, which begins this week in Charleston.

“I would like to ask if my lawyers can represent me for the guilt phase of the trial only,” Roof wrote.

“Can you let me have them back for the guilt phase, and then let me represent myself for the sentencing phase of the trial? If you would allow that, then that is what I would like to do.”

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/04/dylann-roof-charleston-church-shooting-trial-emanuel-ame

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Associated Press in Charleston, South Carolina
Sunday 4 December 2016 20.28 GMT

[no_hypocrisy]

1. By that request alone, that proves he's sane enough to stand trial.

Circular reasoning perhaps, but . . . .

[Plucketeer]

2. Yeah - let's be fair here

I'd say we let him have his way if he'll concede to let his nine victims testify as well.

[Begabig]

3. Guilt phase? Does he mean the actual trial prior to sentencing?

Not sure what he is saying here.

[Eugene]

4. Death penalty trial.

He now wants his lawyers to somehow convince the jury
that he didn't commit mass murder.

If convicted, he still wants to represent himself in the
penalty phase, where the jury will determine whether
he should be put to death.

[Begabig]

6. Ahh...

Talked big but doesn't want to meet the same end he dished out to others.

Most of the names I've got for this coward would likely result in a hide.

[graegoyle]

5. As long as "Poor Representation" cannot be allowed as grounds for mistrial.

[Sunriser13]

7. ...a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client

In 1814 British scholar and writer Henry Kett wrote “A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client”, a truism if there ever was one, and later adopted by the Supreme Court of the United States who wrote “the adage that a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client” is the product of years of experience by seasoned litigators. (Kay v. Ehrler, 499 US 432, 437 (1991)

Quoted from here.

[kebob]

8. And a Whopper with Extra Pickles, I Presume?