Roof defense team argues for dropping hate crime charges
Attorneys for Dylann Roof are pushing for a judge to dismiss federal hate crime charges against the alleged Emanuel AME Church shooter, The State reports. The hate crime charges are part of the 33 total charges against Roof. His defense argues in court filings that the prosecution has failed to show how the crime affected interstate commerce, a key requirement for the charges. Prosecuters claim they have met the standard because Roof's gun was made in another state, he traveled on interstates to go to Charleston and flee the scene and he researched the church on the internet.
Charleston cat gets famous with Olympics video
A video of a Charleston cat playing along with an Olympic volleyball match has been viewed millions of times, The Post and Courier reports. The cat's owner posted the video of Smoosh hitting the television screen in time with the beach volleyball match to her Instagram on Monday night. By morning, NBC's official Olympics coverage had already shared the video on their social media. It has been seen by more than two million viewers so far.
SLED declines to charge deputy accused of vandalizing campaign signs
SLED will not take action against a Richland County sheriff's deputy accused of vandalizing campaign signs, WIS reports. The deputy is accused of removed campaign signs for the primary opponent of Sheriff Leon Lott at a community center in May. The center's owner says they have a policy of not allowing campaign signs on the property, and the deputy assisted in removing the signs when asked. The signs weren't damaged, and the department and SLED found that the deputy followed policy.