Bond set at $1M for Roof during emotional hearing

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A judge has set a $1 million bond for a 21-year-old white man accused of fatally shooting nine people at a black church in Charleston.

The magistrate judge set the bond for a weapons charge but doesn’t have the authority to set bond on the nine murder counts that Dylann Roof faces. That will be left up to a circuit judge at a later date.

Roof appeared by video and stared straight ahead as five victims’ family members gave statements, some of them saying “hate won’t win.” Roof showed no reaction as they told him they would have mercy on him and that they forgave him.

The judge set the bond with the understanding that Roof will be held until his bond hearing on the murder charges.

Authorities say Roof opened fire at a Bible study at Emanuel AME Church on Wednesday night. He was at the prayer meeting for about an hour before he started shooting.

Roof appeared via video. He wore a jail jumpsuit and was handcuffed, and spoke only to answer questions. When asked his age, he told the judge he was 21. He also told the judge he was unemployed.

One victim’s daughter sobbed as she said, “I forgive you.”

The mother of Tywanza Sanders told Roof that “every fiber in my body hurts.”

Roof did not react and appeared to show no emotion as the relatives spoke.

Roof is being held in a cell next to the former North Charleston police officer who fatally shot a black man running away from him.

Charleston County sheriff’s Maj. Eric Watson said Friday that Roof is in a cell next to former officer Michael Slager.

Slager has been charged with murder in the death of Walter Scott. Slager’s shooting of a fleeing Scott following a traffic stop on April 4 was recorded on a bystander’s cellphone.

Roof has been charged with nine counts of murder. He is being held in cell 1141B. Slager is in 1140B.

Each is alone is his cell. It’s unlikely the two can talk to each other.