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The bond hearing for Dylann Roof, the suspect in the Charleston church massacre, was anything but routine.
First, Roof was not in the courtroom but appeared via a video link. Roof is charged with nine counts of murder and firearms charges in the shooting deaths at Emanuel AME Church.
Then in an unusual move for a bond hearing, Magistrate Judge James Gosnell Jr. made a statement before addressing the bond issue, saying, 'We're going to reach out to everyone, all victims.” He then referred to Roof, saying, “There are victims on this young man’s side of the family. We must find it in our heart…to help his family as well. “
The judge’s statement angered many on social media who thought it was in poor taste and disrespectful to the victims and their families.
Roof spoke briefly at the hearing, acknowledging that he's unemployed and confirmed his age of 21.
The judge allowed the victims and family members to address the court and Roof.
Felecia Sanders, the mother of Tywanza Sanders, told Roof that, "We welcomed you Wednesday night in our Bible study with open arms. Every fiber in my body hurts. And I’ll never be the same. Tywanza Sanders was my son, but Tywanza was my hero."
The daughter of Ethel Lance said, "I will never be able to hold her again, but I forgive you. And have mercy on your soul. You hurt me. You hurt a lot of people but God forgives you, and I forgive you.
Another person said, “Hate won’t win.”
Roof showed no emotion as the victims and families spoke.
A $1M bond on a weapons charge was set; the judge was not authorized to set bond on the nine murder charges.
Roof is being held in the same facility as former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager who fatally shot Walter Scott in April.
