WATCH ABOVE: Families of the South Carolina church shooting victims speak at Dylann Roof’s first court appearance
TORONTO – It was an emotional day in a South Carolina court room Friday as family members of the victims of the church shooting in Charleston spoke at Dylann Roof’s bond hearing.
Representatives from five of the nine victim’s families spoke out, expressing forgiveness before the judge set Roof’s bond at $1 million.
Ethel Lance’s daughter stood before the court, sobbing.
“You hurt me, you hurt a lot of people, but I forgive you,” she said.
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The mother of Tywanza Saunders said that every fibre in her body hurt, before telling Roof: “May God have mercy on your soul.”
READ MORE: Dylann Roof appears on 9 murder counts as Charleston seeks unity
The granddaughter of Rev. Daniel Simmons told the court that “Hate won’t win.”
It’s a mantra that has been echoed on social media since the hearing was adjourned.
“I forgive you, and my family forgives you,” said a representative from the family of Myra Thompson. “But we would like you to take this opportunity to repent.”
The sister of Rev. DePayne Middleton Doctor told the court she was very angry, but still found a way to forgive Roof.
“We are the family that love built,” she said. “We have no will for hate, so we have to forgive.”
Roof appeared via video screen during the hearing. He didn’t appear to have any reaction during the statements given by the families.
READ MORE: Charleston Shooting: Is Dylann Roof a domestic terrorist?
When asked, Roof told the judge he was 21, and unemployed.
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