Final jury selection begins in Dylann Roof case

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The final phase of jury selection is underway in the death-penalty trial of Dylann Roof, the white man accused of gunning down nine black parishioners during a Bible study at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, last year.

Roof faces 33 charges in federal court, including hate crimes and obstruction of religion. Federal prosecutors say he spoke of starting a race war when he shot the parishioners at Emanuel AME Church. State prosecutors plan a second death penalty trial on nine murder charges next year.

The federal jury-selection process began last summer when about 3,000 potential jurors received jury summonses. After filling out questionnaires and being questioned by attorneys, that pool has now been reduced to 67 people.

Attorneys are using juror strikes today to select the final panel of 12 jurors and six alternates who'll hear the case.

Opening statements are scheduled for later today.