Decision, whether he lives or dies. Nick valencia joining me now from outside of the courthouse in charleston, south carolina. Nick, tell us what struck you most about what was said in court during these closing arguments. It was a very sad day inside the courtroom. I just got out from being in there listening to the closing arguments of the prosecution and the defense. Today started with an impassioned plea by federal prosecutor to hold dylann roof accountable for every action, every single bullet he fired that day inside mother emmanuel church. He highlighted the writings of the manifesto, the journal that outlined and was fueled by his White Supremacy and belief that he was better than black people simply because he was white. He talked about his meticulous planning leading up to the shooting and also his actions inside the church that day. I was just a couple of rows back from dylann roof sitting directly behind his grandmother who was flanked by a priest and i looked at dylann roo
Smegielski from prospect, connecticut. I should not be here tonight. I dont want to be here tonight. I should be home like so Many Americans watching on tv with my mother as we nominate the first woman to be president of the United States. But my mom was murdered. So im here. Im here for the mothers and daughters who are planning weddings so that you get to watch your daughters walk down the aisle. Im here for those lives cut short in a school, in a movie theater, in a church, at work, in their neighborhoods or homes because those voices should never be silenced. Im here alone without my mother while too many politicians cower behind the gun lobby instead of standing with american families. We dont need another charleston or San Bernardino or dallas or countless other acts of everyday gun violence that dont make the headlines. We dont need our teachers and principals going to work in f r fear. What we need is another mother who is willing to do whats right, whose bravery can live up in
Wanted to start a race war . A man who despised black people or was he a suicidal loner, mentally unstable and radicalized online . These are the two characterizations that jurors listen to during these powerful Closing Arguments today in the Death Penalty trial of this young man accused of shooting nine black church goers at charlestons historic mother emanuel church. And here, the faces of the nine victims. Pastors, aunties, mothers and fathers shot and killed in what prosecutors describe as a premeditated act of murder spurred by hate. Imagine their families sitting in the courtroom crying and wiping away tears as the bodies of their loved ones are flashed on screen. Lets begin with nick valencia who is in charleston with more on todays Closing Arguments. And hour one with the jury deliberating. Reporter it was a very emotional day. I sat and listened to the prosecution and defense deliver their Closing Arguments. The defense for their part saying its not a matter of who did this or
Smegielski from prospect, connecticut. I should not be here tonight. I dont want to be here tonight. I should be home like so Many Americans watching on tv with my mother as we nominate the first woman to be president of the United States. But my mom was murdered so im here. Im here for the mothers and daughters who are planning weddings so that you get to watch your daughters walk down the aisle. Im here for those lives cut short in a school, in a movie theater, in a church, at work, in their neighborhoods or homes because those voices should never be silenced. Im here alone without my mother while too many politicians cower behind the gun lobby instead of standing with american families. We dont need another charleston or San Bernardino or dallas or countless other acts of everyday gun violence that dont make the headlines. We dont need our teachers and principals going to work in fear. What we need is another mother whos willing to do whats right. Whose bravery can live up in equal
But so many facing the same thing, didavee discovered tonight. We have both stories, that potential noreaster in a moment here, but first, the urgent effort to knock down the fire from the air. Abcs will carr from california. Reporter tonight, an allout assault on the woolsey fire. The terrain is too steep, you cant get hand crews in here. Reporter dc10s and Chinook Helicopters attacking a new flareup after intense firefighting. As our gio benitez peak fire in simi valley, firefighters are taking no chances. The camp fire, hundreds still missing, many happy to be alive. Oh, my god. Peoples tires are popping. Reporter michelle and Daniel Simmons and their four kids barely made it out. Ah its okay guys, its okay, just keep going baby, keep going baby. There was a woman on the side of the road running with her baby. Reporter do you know if she made it . Reporter we dont know. Reporter the simmons entire family, more than 50 people, all losing their homes. Its that fine line between being