Prosecutor mulling death penalty to discuss church slayings

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina prosecutor considering whether to pursue the death penalty for a white man charged with killing nine black churchgoers says she will hold a news conference on the case Thursday afternoon.

Solicitor Scarlett Wilson's office says she'll address media at 2:45 p.m. Thursday at her office regarding the state case against 21-year-old Dylann Roof.

Wilson has yet to say publicly if she'll pursue the death penalty against Roof, who faces state charges including nine murder counts in the June 17 slayings at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

He also faces federal charges including hate crimes, and prosecutors in that case also haven't said if they'll pursue the death penalty. Roof is next expected in court in October.

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Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP