Posts
Attorneys for Dylann Roof file motion to vacate death sentence
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Attorneys for the man who opened fire at a Charleston church in 2015, killing nine members of the congregation, have filed a motion to vacate his sentence. The motion to vacate Dylann Roof’s sentence was filed in US District Court – South Carolina on April 17. Documents detail 18 claims, two of which have been redacted, as to why attorneys argue Roof’s death sentence should be vacated. Charleston attorney Jill E.M. HaLevi and Indianapolis attorney Angela S. Elleman filed the motion on behalf of Roof. Attorneys are asking for a new penalty phase trial using the 18 claims as justification. The penalty phase is where sentencing is decided. Roof was sentenced to death in 2017 for killing nine Black church members during a bible study. The decision made him the first person ordered to be executed for a federal hate crime. The claims listed below are directly from the filing: CLAIM 3: The trial court violated Dylann’s Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights when it failed ...
Up the Stairs
He followed me up the stairs after I excused myself from the bar. The communication between us was less unspoken signal and more trigger and effect, all of our touch-and-go glances building in anticipation of this opportunity. He must have waited all but thirty seconds before falling on my trail, weaving through the happy hour crowd as I had just done, as if guided by my scent. My skin tingled at the nape of my neck, electrified by the feel of his eyes in pursuit. As I reached the top few steps I exaggerated the sway of my hips, making sure to reward him with a good view. His body came up hard and warm against my back as I reached the bathroom door, all but shoving me inside the unisex room. “Excuse me,” I said, swirling to face him. “What makes you think you were invited to come in here with me?” “Oh.” A look of panic flashed across his face and he put up his hands. “Shit. I thought…my mistake.” He turned to leave but I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled his body flush ...
In the Desert
Our headlights extended over the dusty flats, a dry, cracked plain where even shrubbery refused to grow. A soft breeze filled the car as he stopped the engine and rolled down the windows. Darkness poured into the cabin as the air settled around us, the desert quickly forgetting our intrusion. “Do you have any more questions?” he asked. I ran my fingers down the hair framing my face, a fluttery gesture betraying my nerves. “Nothing that we haven’t already covered.” He looked me up and down, his gaze brimming with a hunger that inspired goosebumps up my arms. His voice was low and thick when he spoke again. “Then you’ve got sixty seconds.” I giggled – a reflex – then stilled. “Oh. Now?” He unbuckled his seatbelt. “Fifty-five seconds.” My heart shot to my throat and I fumbled with my seatbelt. I caught a sly smile on his lips before I kicked open the door and scrambled out of my seat. The desert air was cool but I was burning up inside, an engine that propelled me to start running wi...