CHARLESTON: Church shoo­ting suspect Dylann Roof was ordered to remain in custody on nine murder charges on Friday after an emotional bond hearing during which relatives of the victims expressed their grief.

Roof’s attorney said his 21-year-old client was prepared to “accept the no bond arrangement”. Judge James Gosnell set the next court hearing in the case for Oct 23.

Roof stands accused of gunning down nine people at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in this south-eastern US city on Wednesday night during a Bible study meeting.

He was arrested on Thursday in North Carolina and brought back to Charleston to face charges. Bond was set at $1 million on a weapons charge, but Roof will nevertheless remain in custody because no bond was set on the murder charges.

Relatives of the nine victims were invited to speak at Friday’s hearing. Several broke down in tears as they spoke of their loss, but also said they forgave Roof.

“Every fiber in my body hurts, and I’ll never be the same. Tywanza Sanders was my son. But he was my hero,” said Felicia Sanders.

Published in Dawn June 20th, 2015

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