Nightly news begins right now. Announcer from nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news. Reporting tonight, lester holt. Good evening. We start with several new developments out of baltimore. As Peaceful Protesters take to the streets there for another night, key findings from the medical examiner and the story of a man who says he was held in custody with freddie gray are shedding new light into grays death. The protests, meantime, have expanded to other cities. Heres what it looks like this evening in philadelphia. The demand for action in the wake of grays death intensifying tonight hours after Baltimore Police put the results of their investigation into the hands of prosecutors. Peter alexander is in baltimore tonight. Peter. Reporter lester, good evening to you. The rain has come and gone, but these protesters have not. As you can see, theyre demanding answers and accountability, and today Law Enforcement sources tell our nbc station here in baltimore that
Mayors in San Francisco. Thanks for spending your saturday with us. Im leland vittert. Im elizabeth prann. Welcome to americas news headquarters from washington. A story of state rid played out this week but it was in an unprecedented turn of events the family of the nine victims in Charleston South Carolina spoke out telling the alleged murderer they are forgiving him. Theyre determined not to hate. Our friend of dylan ruth says he had been planning an attack and the church was not his original target. Killer himself faces nine charges of murder. One charge on a weapons charge. He is not posting bond for those nine charges. Of course he is going to remain in jail probably for the rest of his life. Moving forward in that bond appearance we heard from the cooler accused killer. What is your snaj. 21 years old. Are you employed . No. You are unemployed at this time . Yes, sir. Thank you. Meanwhile, just a couple of blocks away from emmanuel ame church there was a prayer vigil held last n
Crowe, discrimination in almost every institution of our lives, that casts a long shadow and thats still part of our dna thats passed on. Were not cured of it. Racism . Racism. We are not cured of it clearly. And its not just a matter of it not being polite to say [mute] in public. Thats not the measure of whether racism still existeds or not or a matter of overt discrimination. Societies dont overnight completely erase everything that happened 200 to 300 years prior. At the same time were learning more today about the alleged gunman from wednesdays massacre in Charleston Dylann roof. Through the manifesto attributed to him online although not confirmed by nbc, it includes dozens of photos of the 21yearold holding guns and Confederate Flags and 2500 words that expose a sharply racist idealology. Were following that from charleston. Kristin, we heard this president many times on race but this is different. Reporter this is different. This is sort of the strongest language we have heard
Today, we witnessed an extraordinary moment in a charleston courtroom. In South Carolina, victims are allowed to speak in bail hearings, and as dylann roof made his first appearance by teleconference from jail families of the nine people gunned down during bible study told him about the precious lives that were wrenched away. Deeply religious families gathered their courage and surprised nearly everyone. Ethel lance, 70 years old, left five children, seven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. A daughter spoke for the family. Pelley 49yearold reverend Depayne Middleton doctor was a mother of four. A sister spoke for the family. Pelley 26yearold Tywanza Sanders reportedly tried to shield others from the gunman. His mother addressed his accused killer. Pelley 21yearold dylann roof could hear the families but he could not see them. Bond was set at 1 million on one of the charges. Justice correspondent jeff pegues has more from that hearing. Jeff. Reporter scott, dylann roof is bein
Wild fire in state history destroyed more than 650 homes. New mexicos largest wild firer on record burned more than a quarter of a million acres. In march, tornadoes that tore across indiana, ohio, west virginia, and kentucky left 42 people dead. In late august, hurricane isaac came ashore near the mouth of the mississippi. Nine deaths, 4,700 homes were damaged or destroyed. And of course, in october, super storm sandy brought a record storm surge to the new york and new jersey coast lines. 131 people were killed. 650,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. More than eight million homes and businesses lost power, some of them for weeks. So 2012 is in the record books. But the devastating drought continues. It covers 61 of the continental u. S. The worst of it you see right there in darkest red. Texas officials today had bad news for farmers who badly need water. Anna werner has their story. What you see now, when it comes out of here, it will be white. Reporter the operationpe managed by