Dylann Roof will remain in jail as judge could not set bond for murder charges

Judge set bond for weapons charge at $1 million

Dylann Roof, the man accused of killing nine people in a rampage in a Charleston church, will remain in jail after his initial bond hearing, as the judge was unable to set bond for the nine murder charges he is facing.

The judge did set Mr Roof’s bail at $1 million for the weapon-possession charge, but even if that bail was paid, he would not be released from jail. A superior court judge would need to set bail for the murder charges.

Mr Roof has been accused of killing nine parishioners at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston on Wednesday.

He was arrested in Shelby, North Carolina on Thursday and flown back to Charleston to face chargers. Friday’s court appearance was his first in relation to the church massacre.

At Friday's hearing, family members of the victims were invited to make statements before the judge. Amid sobs and anger, the families ultimately said they forgave Mr Roof.

The mother of Tywanza Sanders told Mr Roof that "every fiber in my body hurts."

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