US court upholds death sentence on church attacker
An appeals court in the US has upheld the death sentence given to a white supremacist who killed nine black people at a South Carolina church.
Dylann Roof targeted a Bible study group in 2015, and told a jury before being convicted two years later: "I felt like I had to do it."
Upholding the sentence, the appeals judge said the crimes "qualify him for the harshest penalty that a just society can impose".
Roof remains on death row in Indiana.
Last month, US Attorney-General Merrick Garland halted federal executions pending a review by the justice department, following the Trump administration's prolific use of capital punishment.
The 2015 massacre shocked the nation and reignited a debate about race relations and the flying of the Confederate flag.
Roof told police he wanted to start a race war and he was photographed holding the battle flag, which to many is a symbol of racism.
The tragedy led to the flag being removed from the South Carolina statehouse, where it had flown for 50 years.
Upholding the sentence, the appeals judge said the crimes "qualify him for the harshest penalty that a just society can impose".
Roof remains on death row in Indiana.
Last month, US Attorney-General Merrick Garland halted federal executions pending a review by the justice department, following the Trump administration's prolific use of capital punishment.
The 2015 massacre shocked the nation and reignited a debate about race relations and the flying of the Confederate flag.
Roof told police he wanted to start a race war and he was photographed holding the battle flag, which to many is a symbol of racism.
The tragedy led to the flag being removed from the South Carolina statehouse, where it had flown for 50 years.
