CHARLESTON, S.C. — The defense team for admitted Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof claims the death penalty is unconstitutional, according to a court filing.
Roof’s lawyers filed the motion in federal court on Monday, saying giving him the death penalty violates the 5th and 8th amendments.
The 22-year-old is being tried for the slayings of nine parishioners at Emanuel AME Church. Roof faces dozens of charges, including hate crimes, in the murders of nine people in June 2015, during a bible study at Mother Emanuel.
Roof’s federal death penalty trial is scheduled to begin November 7. Jury selection in his state trial begins in January.
