A United States Federal judge has ruled that Dylann Roof, a white supremacist who is the primary suspect in the shooting to death of nine black South Carolina church parishioners last year, is mentally competent for trial. Defense attorneys earlier questioned the capability of Roof to understand the case filed against him and help his lawyers defending him.
In last Friday's order, U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel said the 22-year old Roof was evaluated by a respected psychiatrist and he has considered the latter's testimony as well as the lawyers' arguments in coming up with the decision. The Huffington Post said the judge has refused to make public the decision to avoid jeopardizing the right of Roof to a fair trial. Roof has been slapped with several cases for the massacre which happened at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
"A criminal defendant is not competent to stand trial only if the Court finds 'that the defendant is presently suffering from a mental disease or defect' that renders him 'unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him or to assist properly in his defense," the Judge said according to Business Insider.
Judge Gergel said to determine the defendant's mental competency, he must not only be able to understand the ongoing proceedings but must also be capable of consulting with his defense lawyers. These conditions were found to be present in the case of Roof, thus he was declared competent to be tried in court.
NPR said Roof, who is facing the death penalty, is expected to plead not guilty. NPR and other media organizations have objected to the judge's decision against the release of the details of the competency hearing. Included in the details that is being kept from the public is the reason why Roof's lawyers believe that he is not mentally capable of standing trial.
