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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The latest on a prosecutor's decision to seek the death penalty against Dylann Roof (all times local):
3:50 p.m.
An attorney representing some of the families of victims in the Charleston church massacre says he commends a prosecutor for considering his clients' thoughts before deciding to pursue the death penalty against the suspect.
Andy Savage says some of his clients may oppose the death penalty for religious reasons but also understood the decision was ultimately up to the state. Savage says "they believe in forgiveness. ... So for them, to not be proponent of the death penalty is no surprise."
Ultimately, Savage says his clients want Roof to be found guilty and punished. He says "they want this guy to disappear and never to see civilization again."
Prosecutors filed court papers Thursday saying they would pursue the death penalty against 21-year-old Dylann Roof. The documents cited factors including the fact that more than two people were killed, and that others' lives were put at risk.
2:50 p.m.
A South Carolina prosecutor says not all of the families of the nine people killed in June's shooting at a Charleston church want her to seek the death penalty, but they accept her decision to try to put the suspect to death.
Prosecutor Scarlett Wilson read a statement Thursday afternoon, just hours after filing court papers saying she would pursue the death penalty against 21-year-old Dylann Roof. She took no questions at a brief news conference.
Wilson called Roof's actions "the ultimate crime that deserved the ultimate punishment." Wilson says she understands the desire of some victims' families to forgive Roof, but she says forgiveness doesn't eliminate the consequences of Roof's actions.
Roof faces state charges including nine murder counts in the June 17 slayings at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
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1:15 p.m.
A South Carolina prosecutor says she will seek the death penalty for a white man charged with killing nine black churchgoers.
Prosecutors filed court papers Thursday saying they would pursue the death penalty against 21-year-old Dylann Roof. The documents cited factors including the fact that more than two people were killed, and that others' lives were put at risk.
Prosecutors also said they intended to present evidence on Roof's mental state, adult and juvenile criminal record and other conduct, as well as his apparent lack of remorse for the killings.
Roof faces state charges including nine murder counts in the June 17 slayings at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. He is next expected in court on those charges in October.
Roof also faces federal charges including hate crimes. Prosecutors in that case have not said if they will pursue the death penalty.
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