RantCrush Top 5: December 29, 2016

Dylann Roof, who was convicted of the deadly shooting in Charleston, said yesterday that he would not call witnesses or present any evidence that could spare his life in the death penalty trial against him. He also reaffirmed that he will still represent himself. The judge in the case, Richard Gergel, said he thought it was a bad idea and that he would allow Roof to change his mind in the matter up until the penalty phase of the trial begins.

Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof says he won’t be submitting evidence to try to spare his life.

A look back: https://t.co/oFS48E2yCe

— AJ+ (@ajplus) December 28, 2016

Roof also made it clear that he didn’t want any details about his mental state to be revealed. And his former lawyers said that he dismissed them because he thought they would “present potentially embarrassing evidence to save his life.” In a diary that was found after the fact, he wrote that he doesn’t believe in psychology: “It is a Jewish invention and does nothing but invent diseases and tell people they have problems when they don’t.” The sentencing phase of the trial begins next week.

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.