Opening arguments begin in Federal death penalty trial for Dylann Roof

Dylann Roof’s Death Penalty Trial To Begin Today

The trial for Dylann Roof’s life begins today as opening arguments from each side will be heard at Charleston, South Carolina courthouse.

Roof is facing the death penalty for the murder of 9 innocent souls inside a Emanuel AME Church in June of 2015. He has pleaded not guilty to every single one of the hate crimes he “allegedly” committed.

Black folks have been hard-pressed to see the people who violate us be punished. As recently as last week, it took days and a LOT of public pressure to get even get Ronald Gasser CHARGED for the blatant murder of Joe McKnight in New Orleans.

This case seems as open-and-shut as it gets, but we here we sit, on pins and needles, riddled with anxiety because we can’t be 100% sure that Dylann Roof will get his comeuppance.

According to ABCNews here are the charges against him:

There are 33 counts against Roof in the federal trial: counts 1-9, hate crime act resulting in death; counts 10-12, hate crime act involving an attempt to kill; counts 13-21, obstruction of exercise of religion resulting in death; counts 22-24, obstruction of exercise of religion involving an attempt to kill and use of a dangerous weapon; counts 25-33, use of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence.

How can any jury anywhere allow a single one of these charges to go unpunished? At least that’s what we’d like to think.

Do you think we’ll see a “not guilty”

Image via AP