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Not guilty plea in federal court for church shooting suspect
Attorney: Roof wanted to enter guilty plea, advised against it
W Charleston Shooting Ledb 2
In this June 18 file photo, Charleston, S.C., shooting suspect Dylann Storm Roof is escorted from the Cleveland County Courthouse in Shelby, N.C. - photo by Associated Press
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The white man accused of gunning down nine parishioners at a black church in Charleston wants to plead guilty to 33 federal charges, but his lawyer said in court Friday that he couldn't advise his client to do so until prosecutors say whether they'll seek the death penalty. During a brief arraignment in federal court, defense attorney David Bruck said that he couldn't counsel his client, Dylann Roof, to enter a guilty plea without knowing the government's intentions. U.S. Magistrate Judge Bristow Marchant then entered a not guilty plea for Roof, 21, who faces federal charges including hate crimes, weapons charges and obstructing the practice of religion.