The justice system is always under the spotlight, but when Dylann Roof killed nine people at the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June of 2015, the light got even brighter. The massacre in Charleston, South Carolina was no accident. Roof had intricately planned out his attack, waiting in the church for forty minutes before beginning to fire and killing nine people.

The massacre was a hate crime, and Roof showed no regrets. During an interview, he stated, “somebody had to do it… black people are killing white people every day.” During his sentencing, Roof represented himself and asked the jury to be spared, but it evidently did not work. The jury found Roof guilty of every charge against him and recommended him for the death penalty. This verdict was the first federal hate crime to result in a death sentence.

Although some family members of the victims have forgiven Roof, they asked him to repent for his actions and to ask forgiveness from God. Unfortunately, Roof had no feelings of remorse or regret for what he did. In a journal Roof kept in jail, he wrote, “I am not sorry. I have not shed a tear for the innocent people I’ve killed.” In court, Roof continued to state that he felt like he had to do it because someone had to.

When news broke out that Roof was recommended for the death penalty, many voiced their reactions and opinions. When a BOYCP student was asked for her reaction towards the sentencing, she believed that Roof’s consequence was fair, stating “Roof admitted to his actions, and I believe that the death penalty is the right choice for his crimes… someone is not born asking to be Black, White, Mexican, etc.” Another student had a similar perspective “ Emotion is what makes us human and if Roof would have asked for forgiveness people would understand…he did deserve it, I usually don’t agree with this level of punishment because I know they show emotions and ask for forgiveness, we all deserve a second chance.” The victim’s families had their loved ones taken away from them because some people can accept change, and in many ways, we are all victims here.

– Jaqueline Almaraz