Add Category
A sign outside the church where a memorial service was held for the nine victims of the Charleston mass shooting. Photo: Nick O'Malley
Charleston: Â Family members of those killed in a mass shooting in a church in Charleston rose to confront their murderer and to forgive him in an extraordinary court hearing in Charleston on Friday afternoon.
"I forgive you," said Nadine Collier, the daughter of 70-year-old Ethel Lance, as the accused, 21-year-old Dylann Roof watched on via a video link. "You took something very precious from me. I will never talk to her again, I will never, ever hold her again. But I forgive you. Have mercy on your soul."
Nadine Collier attend the bond hearing for Dylann Roof who is accused of killing her mother, Ethel Lance, and eight others during a shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Friday. Photo: AFP
Anthony Thompson, the grandson of Myra Thompson, 59, told the court: "We would like you to take this opportunity to repent. … Do that and you'll be better off than you are right now."
Advertisement
Felicia Sanders survived the attack by pretending to be dead even as her son, Tywanza, lay dead or dying. "We welcomed you Wednesday night in our Bible study with open arms," she told Roof, who appeared in court via video.
 "You have killed some of the most beautifulest people that I know. Every fibre in my body hurts … and I'll never be the same."
Judge James Gosnell speaks during a bond hearing for Dylann Storm Roof at a court in North Charleston. Photo: AP
 "Tywanza was my hero," she said. "As we said in Bible study, we enjoyed you but may God have mercy on you."
Alana Simmons, whose grandfather Reverend Daniel Simmons, 74, was also killed in the attack, also spoke of forgiveness and love. "Although my grandfather and the other victims died at the hands of hate, this is proof, that they lived in love.
"Their legacies will live in love so hate won't win. I just want to thank the court for making sure that hate doesn't win."Â Roof, who spoke only in response to the judge's questions, faces weapons charges and nine counts of murder and weapons charges.
Dylann Roof appearing before a judge on Friday at his bond hearing as members of the media and public watch from a viewing room. Photo: AP
He was ordered to be held on a bond of $US1 million ($1.3 million)Â for the weapons charges, though Magistrate James Gosnell said he did not have the authority to set bail on the murder charges, which will be heard by a higher court.
According to the police affidavit released on Friday, Roof made a "racially inflammatory statement" as he stood over his victims.
Sylvia Johnson, a cousin of Reverend Clementa Pinckney, told CNN she heard about what happened inside the church from a survivor, a close friend.Â
Dylann Roof appears by closed-circuit television at his bond hearing in Charleston, South Carolina. Photo: Reuters
When the son of her friend pleaded with the shooter to stop, Ms Johnson said the gunman replied: "'No, you've raped our women, and you are taking over the country ... I have to do what I have to do.' And he shot the young man."
As the hearing went on a shrine grew on the street in front of the Emmanuel African Methodist Church in downtown Charleston where the attack took place. In stifling heat mourners gathered to pray and lay flowers and notes of love and support.
One simply quoted the Gospel according to John, "This is my commandment, that you love one another."
Another read in part. "No excuse! This is racism! This is hate!"
At dusk thousands gathered for a prayer service in a local basketball stadium. At the front they were offered a single rose and bottles of water as they filed past a sign banning concealed weapons from the event.