Relatives of the nine victims of the Charleston shooting spoke to alleged shooter Dylann Roof Friday during his initial court hearing, and spoke of mercy, forgiveness, repentance and love.
Charleston County Magistrate, James B. Gosnell, presided over the hearing was legally unable to set bond on the murder charges, but set bond at $1 million for the weapon charge. In a opening statement, Gosnell called on the Charleston community to treat Roof’s family, as well as the attack’s victims, with compassion.
Watch the victim’s families address Roof below and read their statements.
Felecia Sanders , mother of Tywanza Sanders:
‘We welcomed you Wednesday night in our Bible study with open arms. You have killed some of the most beautifulest people that I know. Every fiber in my body hurts … and I’ll never be the same.’’
‘‘Tywanza Sanders was my son, but Tywanza was my hero. Tywanza was my hero. But as we said in Bible study, we enjoyed you but may God have mercy on you.’
Bethane Middleton-Brown, representing family of the Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor:
‘‘DePayne Doctor was my sister. And I just thank you on the behalf of my family for not allowing hate to win. For me, I’m a work in progress and I acknowledge that I’m very angry.’’
‘‘But one thing DePayne always joined in my family with is that she taught me we are the family that love built.’’
‘‘We have no room for hate. We have to forgive. I pray God on your soul. And I also thank God I won’t be around when your judgment day comes with him.’’
Alana Simmons, granddaughter of Daniel Simmons:
‘‘Although my grandfather and the other victims died at the hands of hate, this is proof — everyone’s plea for your soul is proof they lived in love and their legacies will live in love, so hate won’t win. And I just want to thank the court for making sure that hate doesn’t win.’’
Anthony Thompson, representing family of Myra Thompson:
‘‘I forgive you, my family forgives you. We would like you to take this opportunity to repent. Repent. Confess. Give your life to the one who matters the most, Christ, so he can change your ways no matter what happens to you and you’ll be OK. Do that and you’ll be better off than you are right now.’’
Daughter of Ethel Lance:
‘‘I forgive you. You took something really precious away from me. I will never talk to her ever again. I will never be able to hold her again. But I forgive you and have mercy on your soul. It hurts me, it hurts a lot of people but God forgive you and I forgive you.’’
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