WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The gunman responsible for the mass shooting at a historically black church in Charleston will be held without bond on the nine counts of murder, Judge James Gosnell announced during the defendant’s bond hearing on Friday.
"On the nine counts of murder, I do not have the authority to set bond on these charges,” Judge Gosnell said.
The judge noted the bond has been set at $1 million for the “one count of the procession of a weapon during the commission” of a violent crime.
Earlier in the day, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley called for Roof to receive the death penalty.
Roof was arrested by police on Thursday in Shelby, North Carolina, 200 miles from the crime scene. He reportedly shouted racist remarks about African Americans before opening fire on churchgoers at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church on Wednesday night.
The judge said that Roof’s first appearance court date has been set for October 23, 2015 to be followed by another court appearance on February 5, 2016.
