Be right back. Today four children died of poisoning from a pesticide at their home in amarillo, texas. Six other people are in the hospital. The homeowners had used the chemical aluminum phosphate to get rid of pests beneath their home. When they tried to wash it away with water a Chemical Reaction formed a toxic gas. Several First Responders were checked for exposure. In charleston, South Carolina the penalty stage in dylann roofs trial begin this week. He could face the Death Penalty after being convicted of federal hate crimes in the murders of nine black parishioners at the emmanuel ame church. A judge ruled he is competent to represent himself in court. Mark strassmann is covering the case. Reporter as his own lawyer, dylann roof will make an opening statement, a Closing Argument but call no witnesses. Judge Richard Gergel agrees roof s defend himself. But advised him i think its a bad idea. The convicted killer has undergone two Mental Health evaluations. David bruck, his Court
This is the cbs evening news with scott pelley. Pelley today the investigators of that tennessee fire said the fire that swept through the Great Smoky Mountains last week was arson. Two juveniles are charged. 14 people were killed in and around gatlinburg. More than 145 were hurt. 17,000 acres burned. Demarco morgan has the breaking news. Oh, god. Reporter the two juveniles arrested this morning for allegedly starting the fire are tennessee residents, and thats about all officials were able to say about them because they are minors. James dunn is the Sevier County district attorney. All options available to the state when dealing with juveniles are on the table, including the possibility of seeking a transfer of these juveniles to adult criminal court. Reporter hurricaneforce winds and Drought Conditions quickly spread the wildfire into the resort town of gatlinburg, which gets 11 million visitors a year. 14,000 people had to evacuate and more than 1,700 buildings were damaged or destr
This is the cbs evening news with scott pelley. Pelley today the investigators of that tennessee fire said the fire that swept through the Great Smoky Mountains last week was arson. Two juveniles are charged. 14 people were killed in and around gatlinburg. More than 145 were hurt. 17,000 acres burned. Demarco morgan has thebr oh, god. Reporter the two juveniles arrested this morning for allegedly starting the fire are tennessee residents, and thats about all officials were able to say about them because they are minors. James dunn is the Sevier County district attorney. All options available to the state when dealing with juveniles are on the table, including the possibility of seeking a transfer of these juveniles to adult criminal reporter hurricaneforce winds and Drought Conditions quickly spread the wildfire into the resort town of gatlinburg, which gets 11 million visitors a year. 14,000 people had to evacuate and more than 1,700 buildings were damaged or destroyed. We were there
Lance was among those murdered. Who goes into a church and do that . Reporter it is unthinkable. I cant put that in words. The depth of the pain in my soul. Reporter relatives of the victims told roof at his arraignment they forgave him. We have no room for hate, so we have to forgive. Reporter are you one of those people . No, i am not one of those people. Reporter will you ever get to that point . I know i will. I have to. Reporter prosecutors will push for the Death Penalty. You dont want that. Only because i dont believe in the Death Penalty for any person. Reporter if he gets the Death Penalty there is a part of you that thinks he got what is coming to him . Yes, its conflicting. Reporter roofs lawyers do not contest that he committed the murders. Theyre trying to spare him the Death Penalty. Scott, defense lawyer, david bruck urged the jury not to behave like the person who committed this crime. Mark strassmann. Fascinating interview tonight. Thank you very much. Still ahead did
You can help children in low income neighborhoods get the help they need to stay in school and go on to college. I have a dream foundation provides mentoring, academic help, and tuition to make this dream come true. Learn how this Program Helps students build life skills while increasing High School Graduation and College Participation rates. Visit and find out how you can be a part of the dream. Cbs cares. Cer you taught him how to hit a baseball. How to hit a receiver. You even taught him how to hit the open man. But how much time have you spent teaching him. What not to hit . Dangerously cold air from the arctic howling across the upper midwest heading east. Omar villafranca in bismarck, north dakota where it fields like minus 20. Reporter the arctic blast blew through colorado overnight, dropping 6 inches of snow in the denver area. Snowplow drivers worked overtime to try to keep streets passable. But the fastmoving storm coated Rocky Mountain roads in ice, slowing 18 wheelers to a