Richard Gergel was a presiding judge on the trial of Dylann Roof , who was convicted of 33 federal charges relating to the Charleston church shooting . Roof was convicted on all charges and controversially represented himself during the sentencing phase despite Gergel warning Roof it was n't in his best interests to do so . On January 11 , 2017 , Roof was sentenced to death after the jury recommended the death penalty the previous day
Charleston church shooting
Charleston church shooting
Richard Gergel