Self-professed white supremacist Dylann Roof, who fatally shot 9 people in a black South Carolina church last year, is going to represent himself in his upcoming hate crimes trial.
The 22-year-old Roof made the unusual request Monday morning to U.S. District Court Judge Richard Gergel, who initially warned him against the idea of serving as his own counsel, but ultimately granted his wish.
“I do find defendant has the personal capacity to self-representation,” Gergel said, according to the Charleston Post Courier. “I continue to believe it is strategically unwise, but it is a decision you have the right to make.”
Clad in gray-and-white striped prison garb, Roof responded in a raspy voice, saying, “Yes, sir,” before a slight grin crossed his face, the newspaper said.
Roof told the judge that he still wanted to keep his attorneys as “stand-by counsel” who would be seated at the defense table next to him for the duration of the trial.
The ruling sets the stage for Roof to grill the survivors of the mass shooting and the families of the murdered if he elects to call them to testify.
On Friday, Gergel ruled that Roof was mentally fit to face trial in the racially-charged 2015 shooting during a prayer service at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston.
Jury selection is underway in the federal case.
Roof faces 33 federal charges: nine counts of violating the Hate Crime Act resulting in death; three counts of violating the Hate Crime Act involving an attempt to kill; nine counts of obstruction of exercise of religion resulting in death; three counts of obstruction of exercise of religion involving an attempt to kill and use of a dangerous weapon; and nine counts of use of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence.
If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
Roof also faces nine counts of murder and other charges in the state court system. His trial in that case is scheduled to start in January.
