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Bernie Sanders Opposes Death Penalty For Dylann Roof

The senator sticks with his principles.
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Senior Politics Editor, HuffPost

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) opposes the Justice Department's decision to seek the death penalty in the case of Dylann Roof, the accused killer of nine parishioners at a church in South Carolina last year.

The Democratic presidential candidate has long been an opponent of capital punishment, arguing that it doesn't fit with America's moral values or deter crime. And though the circumstances of the Roof case have prompted cries for severe punishment, his campaign reiterated his position in an email to The Huffington Post.

"Sen. Sanders opposes the death penalty," Sanders spokesman Michael Briggs wrote. "He believes those who are convicted of the most horrible crimes should be imprisoned for the rest of their lives without the possibility of parole."

Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced on Tuesday that the Justice Department would seek the death penalty in the Roof case, following a "rigorous review process to thoroughly consider all relevant factual and legal issues." State authorities had earlier said that they would seek the death penalty for Roof, who they allege was motivated by racial animus and carefully planned the massacre at the Emanuel AME Church. Roof is charged both with federal hate crimes and nine counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.

Several prominent Republican South Carolina officials praised Lynch's announcement, including Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.)

Less clear, however, was how Democrats would approach the debate, considering the horrific nature of the incident and the national outrage it sparked. President Barack Obama has called capital punishment "deeply troubling" but something he can rationalize. 

"There are certain crimes that are so beyond the pale that I understand society's need to express its outrage," he told the Marshall Project in 2015.

Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton, likewise, has said she supports the death penalty in "certain egregious cases." Aides to Clinton did not respond to requests for comment on the Roof case.

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Before You Go

Charleston Church Shooting Victims
Ethel Lance(01 of09)
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A relative of Ethel Lance, 70, who had worked at the church for 30 years, identified her as a victim in an interview with The Post And Courier.

"I'm lost, I'm lost," Lance's grandson, Jon Quil Lance, told the media outlet. He described her as “the heart of the family." (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Clementa Pinckney(02 of09)
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Clementa Pinckney, 41, was among the nine victims shot and killed by a gunman on June 18, 2015, at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Pinckney was the church's pastor and a state senator representing the 45th District.

A married father of two, Pinckney was elected to the state House at age 23, making him the youngest House member at the time. (credit:Randall Hill / Reuters / Corbis )
Sharonda Coleman-Singleton(03 of09)
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Charleston Southern University, where Sharonda Coleman-Singleton's son is a rising sophomore, confirmed her death in a statement on the university website.

"The CSU family is praying for ... his family during this painful time," said President Jairy C. Hunter Jr.

Coleman-Singleton, 45, was a high school track coach and a pastor at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, according to the church website. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Susie Jackson(04 of09)
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Walter Jackson holds a photo of his mother Susie Jackson, one of the nine people killed in Wednesday's shooting at Emanuel AME Church, as he stands on his front porch Friday, June 19, 2015, in Charleston, S.C. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Tywanza Sanders(05 of09)
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Lady June Cole, the president of Allen University in Columbia, confirmed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Tywanza Sanders, 26, was one of the victims and said he graduated in 2014 with a degree in business administration.

“He was a quiet, well-known student who was committed to his education,” Cole said. “He presented a warm and helpful spirit as he interacted with his colleagues. Mr. Sanders was participating in the Bible Study session at Mother Emanuel church at the time of the shooting.” (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Cynthia Hurd(06 of09)
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Kurtis Rogers, communications director of the South Carolina State Library, confirmed to The Huffington Post that 54-year-old Cynthia Hurd, an employee of the Charleston County Public Library, was among the victims.

"We have staff members who have worked with her before on various projects. She had 31 years of service at the library in Charleston," he said.

The library also released a statement that called Hurd "a tireless servant of the community who spent her life helping residents, making sure they had every opportunity for an education and personal growth." (credit:CCPL.org)
Depayne Middleton(07 of09)
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Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, 49, was identified as a victim by Charleston County Coroner' Rae H. Wooten.

Wooten said Middleton-Doctor retired from Charleston County in 2005, where she was director of the Community Development Block Grant Program. (credit:Facebook)
Daniel Simmons(08 of09)
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Rev. Daniel Simmons, 74, was a ministerial staff member, according to the church website. He was transported to a hospital after the shooting and later died. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Myra Thompson(09 of09)
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The Church of the Holy Trinity, via its Facebook page, identified Myra Thompson, 59, as the wife of reverend Anthony Thomspon, Vicar of Holy Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church in Charleston.

"Please pray for all undergoing pain and suffering in this unspeakable crime," said Carl Lund, rector at the church. (credit:Win McNamee via Getty Images)
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