RantCrush Top 5: November 28, 2016

This morning, a federal judge granted Charleston shooter Dylann Roof his motion to represent himself in court. He is accused of killing nine black people at a church in Charleston in June of last year and the charges include hate crimes resulting in death and obstruction of exercise of religion.

Judge rules that Dylann Roof is competent to stand trial for a federal hate crime. He faces a possible death sentence. pic.twitter.com/LSwDLanzpp

— AJ+ (@ajplus) November 25, 2016

“I do find [the] defendant has the personal capacity to self-representation. I continue to believe it is strategically unwise, but it is a decision you have the right to make,” said judge Richard Gergel, pointing out that it is a Constitutional right to defend yourself.

Roof’s controversial choice definitely sparked some reactions:

#DylannRoof Oh! You’d like to represent yourself! Sure! Thought you’d never ask! Here’s a shovel too Mr. Do it yourselfer.

— AlfonZo Rachel (@AlfonZoRachel) November 28, 2016

#DylannRoof is a terrorist. The vicious slaughter in #Charleston was an act of Domestic Terrorism & should be charged/tried as such.

— MichaelaAngela Davis (@MichaelaAngelaD) November 25, 2016

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.