U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) released a statement on today's sentencing in the Charleston trial.
The 12-member panel – three black jurors, nine white – deliberated for a little less than three hours before unanimously deciding the self-avowed white supremacist should die for his crimes rather than spend his life in prison without the possibility of parole.
U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) released the following statement on today's sentencing in the Charleston trial:
“Nineteen months ago, a heartless murderer attempted to start a race war. He believed the damage his racist hands wrought would undo Charleston, South Carolina, and maybe even the nation.
Today that man was rightly sentenced to death. I want to thank the jurors for their service during this agonizing case.
As we heard the testimony of survivors and the families of those killed and injured at Mother Emanuel throughout this trial, they once again left me in awe. Hearing firsthand recollections of that night, learning even more about how much the families of those killed loved and cared for them, I am sure I am not the only one overwhelmed with emotion.
While we can never bring back the Emanuel 9, we can ensure their legacy will live on forever. We will continue to stand behind the families, and their message of unity. Today is a pivotal moment in their road towards some sort of closure, and we will all be there with them on that journey.
To the families of the Emanuel 9, I say thank you. In your loss, you have given all of us more than we ever thought possible.”