Charleston

According to an indictment, Joey Meek knew about Roof's plans to shoot black church members during Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal, didn't report it and lied to the FBI after the massacre.

Meek, 21, faces federal charges that, if convicted, could land him in prison for years. But with Roof already in jail facing federal hate crime charges and nine state counts of capital murder, why would there be a case against Meek?

Joey Meek, 21, faces federal charges that, if convicted, could land him in prison for years. But with Roof already in jail facing federal hate crime charges and nine state counts of capital murder, why would there be a case against Meek?

Legal experts say prosecutors likely want him to testify against Roof — testimony that could help show Roof's alleged acts were premeditated and intentional, which are vital to pursuing a death penalty case.

Court documents dated Tuesday and unsealed Friday say that Joey Meek, 21, told an FBI agent that he did not know specifics about Dylann Roof's plan to shoot the churchgoers during Bible study, but the FBI says that was a lie.

Authorities notified Meek last month that he was under investigation. He was arrested Thursday. It wasn't clear whether he had an attorney to contact for comment on the case, but his girlfriend has said he is innocent. Meek was expected to appear in court for arraignment at 11 a.m. Friday.

A federal law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press that a letter was sent last month telling Joey Meek of Lexington, South Carolina, that he was under investigation for lying to law enforcement and for failing to report a crime despite knowledge of it.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation, which was first reported by The State newspaper.

Lawyers for Dylann Roof argue in papers filed Thursday they want all documents, reports, witness statements and recordings the state plans to use in its case. The request is a fairly routine in a criminal case.

State prosecutors have said they will pursue the death penalty against Roof in the June 17 shootings of nine black parishioners at Emanuel AME Church.

Attorneys for Dylann Roof on Monday filed motions in federal court seeking access to any statements their client has made to authorities, as well as physical evidence and summaries of any proposed expert witnesses expected to testify.

Roof faces dozens of federal charges including hate crimes and obstruction of the practice of religion related to the June 17 killings at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston.

During a brief arraignment in federal court, defense attorney David Bruck said that he couldn't advise his client, Dylann Roof, to enter a guilty plea without knowing the government's intentions.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Bristow Marchant then entered a not guilty plea for Roof, 21, who faces federal charges including hate crimes, weapons charges and obstructing the practice of religion. 

Myra Thompson was remembered in a Monday service at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston. 

Five other victims of the deadly shooting had services there this weekend, bringing political and religious leaders to the historic African-American church.

Friends and family say the 59-year-old Thompson was a studious hard worker who led the church's property committee and served on its board of trustees.

At a court hearing last week, Thompson's widower told the white male suspect, Dylann Storm Roof, that the family forgave him and asked him to repent.

City police chief Gregory Mullen said eight of the victims were killed inside the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Thursday evening, while another person died shortly afterwards.

Police are now searching for a white male suspect in his 20s.

"I do believe it was a hate crime," Mr Mullen said.