After an early deliberation as to whether or not Dylann Roof is capable to stand trial, U.S. District Judge Richard Mark Gergel affirmed that Roof’s psychological evaluation deems him fit to be questioned on the stand. CNN reports that the 22-year-old Charleston shooter will appear before the court in Jan. 2017.
Roof entered Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. on June 17, 2015, and opened fire on the congregants inside, killing nine people. Authorities have charged Roof with nine counts of murder, and 33 federal accounts, including violations of the Hate Crime Act at 12 counts. The victims’ ages ranged from 26-87.
The news site adds that if Roof is found guilty, the death penalty might be his fate. Jury selection is set to take place on Monday (Nov. 28).