Can we ever really understand Charleston shooter Dylann Roof?
by Jordan Cooper
Can we ever really understand Charleston shooter Dylann Roof?
If we try to judge someone’s mental stability by a picture that has no written meaning and is just used as an artful expression, then we’d be off course every time. “A picture is worth a thousand words” is a true statement but those words don’t necessarily correlate directly to someone misusing a weapon; it shouldn’t be taken as an automatic a negative against a person. Being pictured with the rebel flag, a gun, and being in less than casual apparel doesn’t automatically make him a significant criminal liability.
Roof may have been just interested in the history of the South, liked the design of guns, and didn’t need to put on a suit for his daily life. Therefore, we couldn’t say objectively based on his physical appearance in images that there was some sort of violent issue with this young man. There are many things that can tip over the steadiness of a gun owner’s mental health each day. A bad day at work or home could tilt the equilibrium of a level-headed person. So, in reality, there’s nothing more we can do to control weapons on the streets — and there is always the bustling black market. If anybody wants a gun — from a upstanding citizen, to a felon to an outcast — he or she can get one.
Also, if Roof had a minor drug charge that he didn’t plead guilty or was convicted of by law he is still able to purchase the firearm. This is what the FBI reviewer concluded when he saw that Dylan Roof was only accused of drug possession and not adjudicated as culpable in his case. Therefore, he could legitimately purchase the firearm since the case was ongoing. A confession upon apprehension of a suspect may not be admittable in court because the alleged person is under extreme pressure in a very terrifying experience. Their statements may not be composed and delivered in a straightforward manner. So, it lessens the quality of the statements that were presented to law enforcement officials at the time.
Moreover, a number of things could have happened with the case before he had to enter his official plea and confirm his admission. The result: he shouldn’t have been seen as guilty as some suggested before he had his time in court. We as Americans need to allow the system to get the lowdown on situations and make edits when necessary based on full truthfulness.
The reality? Roof is probably going to face life in prison or a mental institution once he is likely to plead guilty for the shooting death of nine people.
And there’s another likely option: South Carolina has a death penalty. But if he pleads early, he may avoid it.
Jordan Cooper is a USC graduate who played football under Coach Steve Spurrier. He was the youngest African American to serve on a gubernatorial campaign staff at the age of 13 under then Congressman Bobby Jindal as his Co-Chair for Blacks for Jindal. He was the first African American to serve in the Gov. and Lt. Gov’s offices in S.C. as a Constituent Correspondent and Special Assistant respectively (Haley/Bauer). He was also the youngest to serve in on a GOP presidential campaign staff in America and youngest black Co-Chair of a Congressional campaign (Bauer for Congress 2012).
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to an editing error “North Carolina” was inserted rather than South Carolina. This was fixed quickly.]