Jurors hear evidence against Dylann Roof in Charleston massacre

Prosecutors in the Charleston church shooting say they have nearly finished presenting their case against suspect Dylann Roof. Since opening statements last week, jurors have heard Roof’s taped confession, a reading of his racist manifesto, and testimony linking him to the gun used in the crime. Roof faces numerous federal hate-crime charges, some of which carry the death penalty, in the June 2015 shooting that killed nine African-Americans at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, N.C. After initially petitioning to represent himself, Roof brought back his attorneys for the guilt phase of the trial, saying he still plans to represent himself in the penalty phase. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel said he plans to wrap up this portion of the trial before Christmas and resume after the holidays to decide Roof’s penalty if he is found guilty, Charleston’s The Post and Courier reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.