6/19: Relatives of slain congregants forgive Charleston suspect; Father's Day for Steve Hartman | Forensic Files

The alleged gunman in the Charleston church shooting is charged with nine counts of murder. And in court, he hears
from the families of the victims. Also tonight, new calls to confine the Confederate flag to history, not the
present. At least 10 major wildfires are burning in the West, fed by drought and
tripledigit heat. And Steve Hartman on the road takes a turn down memory lane. You recognize any of these? I sure do.
This is the CBS Evening News with Scott P. Today, we witnessed an extraordinary moment in a Charleston courtroom. In
South Carolina, victims are allowed to speak in bail hearings. And as Dylan Roof made his first appearance by
teleconference from jail, families of the nine people gunned down during Bible study told him about the precious lives
that were wrenched away. Deeply religious families gathered their courage and surprised nearly everyone.
Ethel Lance, 70 years old, left five children, seven grandchildren, and four greatg grandandchildren. A daughter
spoke for the family. You took something very precious away from me. I would never be able to hold her
again, but I forgive you and have mercy on your soul. 49year-old Reverend Depain Middleton
doctor was a mother of four. A sister spoke for the family. We are the family that love built
We have no room for hating. So, we have to forgive. And I pray God on your soul.
And I also thank God that I won't be around when your judgment didn't come with him.
26-year-old Tuansza Sanders reportedly tried to shield others from the gunman. His mother addressed his accused killer.
We welcome you Wednesday night in our Bible study with open arms. You have killed some of the most
beautifulst people that I know. Toa Sanders is my son, but Toanza was my hero. Toza was my hero.
But as we said in Bible study, we enjoyed you, but may God have mercy on you. 21-year-old Dylan Roof could hear the
families, but he could not see them. Bond was set at $1 million on one of the charges. Justice correspondent Jeff Pay
has more from that hearing. Jeff Scott Dylan Roof is being held in a jail cell in a building behind this barbwire
fence. We're told that he's in solitary confinement and under suicide watch. What is your age?
21. Dylan Roof stood emotionless as he heard the charges against him. Nine counts of murder for the three men and
six women investigators say he gunned down Wednesday night. Charleston is a very strong community. We have big
hearts. From the bench, Chief Magistrate James Gznell expressed sympathy and support for both the victims of the
shooting and Roof's family. We must find it in our heart at some point in time, not only to help those that are victims,
but to also help his family as well. All units responding 110 Calhoun State. Active shooter, multiple people down.
New details emerged today about Wednesday's horrific rampage. According to a warrant for his arrest, ROF, seen
here on surveillance video, entered Emanuel AM church around 8:06 p.m. wearing a fanny pack after attending a
Bible study class for an hour. The court documents say he stood up and pulled out
a handgun and began shooting. All nine victims were shot multiple times. The warrant says that before ROF left, he
stood over a witness and uttered a racially inflammatory statement. CBS News has learned ROF told a witness that
he had spared her life so she could tell others what happened. In addition to her, a woman and a 5-year-old boy also
survived by playing dead. Joseph Riley is the mayor of Charleston, South Carolina. I knew many of these people.
uh I admire them and love them and worked with them and uh so it's uh it's the hardest thing I've done in this job
and probably the hardest thing I'll do in my life. Roof evaded capture for more than 12 hours. According to the warrant,
Roof's father and uncle recognized him from the surveillance image released to the public and contacted the Charleston
Police Department. Roof's father also told police his son owned a 45 caliber handgun. When ROF was apprehended in
Shelby, North Carolina yesterday, law enforcement sources say a Glock 41, a 45 caliber handgun, was found in his car.
He was arrested and taken to the Shelby police station. Why did you do it? Law enforcement sources say during an
interrogation, ROF revealed that he had been planning the attack for some time and that he chose the church because it
was an historic African-American church. Sources say he also revealed that while
he was sitting in the Bible study, he considered abandoning his plan, but then changed his
mind because a source says he thought if he didn't do it, no one else would. If convicted, Roof could get the
death penalty. And Scott, we learned today the Department of Justice is investigating this case as both a hate
crime and an act of domestic terrorism. Jeff Beay is on the investigation for us
tonight. Jeff, thank you very much. This evening, the sorrows and the hopes of Charleston are filling a 5,000 seat
arena in the city's official vigil. This is a live picture now inside the arena,
the TD Arena, where the College of Charleston plays basketball. Amid all the prayers for
harmony, attention is focusing again on a symbol of division in the state capital, Colombia. And here's Ela
Kihano. Today, the flags of the United States and South Carolina flew at half staff
over the state capital, but the Confederate flag remained at full height. It's against state law to touch
it. Governor Nikki Haley was asked about permanently removing the flag on CBS this morning. There will be policy
discussions and you will hear me come out and talk about it, but right now I am not doing that to the people of my
state. In Charleston, some think the time for that conversation is now. NAACP National President Cornell Brooks asked
for meaningful dialogue about the scourge of racism. We say this not because we're trying to seow division,
but rather because we're trying to sew unity, a unity of purpose, a unity of commitment, a unity of resolve so that
we confront the racism in our midst. And that means certainly symbolically we cannot have the Confederate flag waving
in the state capital. Those who want to keep the flag say it is not a racist symbol, but rather a piece of their
heritage. Opinion falls largely along racial lines. 73% of whites feel the Confederate flag should stay. 61% of
African-Americans say it should not be flown on the state house grounds. Reverend Joseph Darby was born and
raised in South Carolina. I'm over 60 years old. I remember when the clan marched behind that flag. I have seen
those rallies. It was put up at the height of the civil rights movement and it was done so across the south and the
implication was clear. What do you see when you see the Confederate flag flying? Uh, rape, torture, terrorism,
murder, subjugation. President Obama has said he thinks the Confederate flag belongs in a museum.
Scott, the accused gunman was driving a car with a Confederate flag license plate. and the mayor of Colombia said
today that the flag is bound to go. Thank you very much, Elaine. It's worth noting that today is the 150th
anniversary of Junth, the day the last remaining slaves in Texas were emancipated. And it was 51 years ago
today that the Senate passed the Civil Rights Act, which outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or
national origin. This evening, President Obama said, "It is not enough to grieve
after tragedies. The US needs to have a conversation about gun safety." And in his words, "Fix this." Major Garrett
reports. That debate is underway. South Carolina law allows concealed firearms inside churches if the pastor approves.
Pastor and state senator Clementa Pikney opposed that law. A day after Pinkney and eight others were shot and killed,
lobbying group Gun Owners of America noted, quote, "Potential victims were disarmed by law." Eric Pratt speaks for
the group. The problem is is that people aren't allowed to take their firearms into certain places and that's where
these mass shootings are occurring. Today at the US Conference of Mayors, President Obama rejected that theory.
And so I refuse to act as if this is the new normal. or to pretend that it's simply
sufficient to grieve and that any mention of us doing something to stop it is somehow politicizing the problem.
After the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in 2012, Congress voted down President Obama's push for background
checks on most firearm sales and smaller ammunition magazines. But states have acted, moving gun laws in both
directions. In the two years after Sandy Hook, mostly Democraticleaning states have passed 99 laws restricting access
to firearms, while mostly Republican leaning states have enacted 88 laws expanding access. Democratic Senator Ben
Carden represents Maryland, which tightened gun laws after New Town. Anything we try to do in Congress is
going to be a heavy lift. It shouldn't be, but it is. That's the political landscape that we're dealing with in
Congress. So, we we understand the realities. Polls show the country evenly split on the question of stricter gun
control laws. And even though one survey last summer showed that 92% of households with firearms supported a
more expansive use of background checks, Scott, the White House conceds the moment for tougher federal gun control
laws came right after Sandy Hook and is long since passed. Major Garrett at the White House for us tonight. Major, thank
you. In another mass murder case, the prosecution rested today in the trial of James Holmes, accused of killing 12 and
injuring 70 in a Colorado movie theater. 79 witnesses were called, but none more
powerful than the last. Today, here's Barry Peterson. In a crime that took so much
from so many, it may have taken the most from Ashley Moser. the life of her six-year-old daughter, Veronica, the
loss of an unborn child, and she was left a quadriplegic with a bullet still lodged in her spine. At first, she
thought the gunfire was a prank. I went to stand up to reach for her hand to try to exit.
When you say her hand, you mean Veronica? Veronica's hand. Yeah. Okay. Did her hand reach back?
No. like I couldn't feel it like just it slipped slipped through my hand. She told of being hit in the chest and
falling on Veronica. Could you feel her moving? No. Could you feel her breathing?
No. Could you get off of her? No. Holmes sat across the courtroom, not moving, never looking at her. The
prosecution was allowed to show a picture of Veronica taken only weeks earlier. How soon
before her death was that taken? Not long because it was her kindergarten graduation. And with that, the 8-week
prosecution case was over. Are the people of the state of Colorado rest? The defense now tries to prove Holmes
not guilty by reason of insanity. that starts next week. As for the impact of Moser's story, Scott, the jury was
wrapped, some took notes, and like others in the courtroom, some wept. Barry Peterson at the courthouse
tonight. Barry, thank you. Today, Vladimir Putin essentially told the US to quit telling Russia what to do. Among
other things, he blamed the West for the crisis in Ukraine. Putin spoke at a business conference in St. Petersburg,
Russia. The discussion was moderated by our own Charlie Rose. You have more unconstrained power than any Russian
leader for a while. Clearly, you're stronger militarily. Clearly, you seem to be more aggressive, although you
don't like me to use that word, I suspect. I did not like you using the term aggressive.
We're not being aggressive. We are persistent. Russia is not striving for dominance. What we're seeking our equal
partnership with all members of international community. There'll be more of Charlie's rare interview with
the president of Russia Monday on CBS This Morning. Wildfires are burning across the West and Oakland throws a
party for the champs when the CBS Evening News [Music] continues. Wildfires have consumed more
than 45,000 acres in the West this week. At least 10 are burning in Arizona, California, Oregon, and Alaska. Here's
John Blackstone. In the rash of fires burning across the west, one of the biggest is in the San
Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles, helicopters are attacking the 11,000 acre fire from above as hundreds
of firefighters battle it on the ground. About 400 campers and residents were ordered to evacuate the heavily wooded
area. Further north in California, a wildfire in the Sierra National Forest south of Yusede National Park has grown
to over 500 acres. For now, the fire threatens few buildings, but it destroyed Roy McCain's home. It's a
loss. Everything I got's gone. Even in Alaska, fire season has started with a vengeance. The 7,000 acre Skeye
fire burned right across the park's highway between Anchorage and Fairbanks. With conditions so dry after four years
of drought, work to prevent wildfires is particularly urgent this year. North of San Francisco, work crews have
been busy where forest grows to the edge of densely populated towns. Carl Sanders
is watershed manager. Our primary concern today is with the fuels that we see off here to our left in the forest
can be. So dead trees, dying trees that add to what we call the fuel load. In preparation for a worst case fire
season, Scott, California has added two air tankers and hundreds of firefighters. John, thanks very much.
At least half a million fans of the Golden State Warriors jammed downtown Oakland to celebrate their first
championship in 40 years. Some showed up at 3 in the morning. The biggest cheers
went to top scorer Steph Curry and playoff MVP Andre Igmadala. It took 72 years, but a husband and wife are
finally high school graduates. George and Miko Cahara were forced to leave school in Southern California after
Pearl Harbor. They spent the war in internment camps, but an old classmate made it his mission to make things
right. And last night, they received their diplomas. Steve Hartman shows us where
the road began. A special Father's Day card next. Tonight's on the road segment is
sponsored by the makers of Tylenol for what matters [Music] most. A while back, Steve Hartman
brought us a very personal story, but one that many folks could identify with. At the end of a tough week, and with
Father's Day coming up on Sunday, it seemed like a good time to share it again. So here's Steve on the road at
the intersection of yesterday and tomorrow. Long before I went on the road, there was one road, Malcolm Road
in Toledo, Ohio. There was one house, number 1053, and one man, my number one. You recognize any of these? I sure do.
My father, George Hartman, built this house himself back in 1955. I sure do. How long were you planning on
living here? The rest of my life. But uh when we built this house, we didn't consider stairs as a factor when you got
old. And so here we are. At that moment, elderly parents and their grown children
seem to dread equally the selling of the family home. I prefer the stay, but you
also have to realize that all good things come to an end. After my mom died last year, it became increasingly
difficult for him to manage on his own. So last month, my brother Joe and I went
to Toledo to pack up his things. You see what that is? What is that? My mother's
hair when she died. She never got gray hair. As you can see, I would have taken your word for it. We spent a couple days
trying to help dad with his downsizing. Oh, yeah. I don't want to throw anything
away like that. Okay. which at times felt more like same sizing shoehorn. Yeah, I was looking for that. But when
pressed, the only things that truly mattered centered on either his faith rosary. Yeah. Or his family. I love you,
Dad. Happy Valentine's Day. You want to throw that away? No. A house that raised a family is so much
more than wood and shingles. It's home to almost every memory of our younger lives. It's in the background of
everything we were and help make us who we are. It's where we learn to feel safe, sound, and sometimes even
invincible. Yes, technically a house is just a place, but at times like this, it
sure feels more like a person. My dad is now moving to a one-story apartment near
my other brother, Mike, in Atlanta. There you go, Dad. And although I know he's not going to like it at first,
hopefully eventually he'll be able to focus less on what he left behind and more on what he made
possible. Steve Hartman on Malcolm Road in Toledo, Ohio. And that's the CBS Evening News
for tonight. For all of us at CBS News all around the world, I'm Scott P. I'll see you Sunday on 60 Minutes. Happy
Father's Day. Good night. [Music]

Relatives of the nine people gunned down during a Bible study in Charleston, S.C., faced the alleged killer and told him about the precious lives that were wrenched away from them; and Steve Hartman shows us what is happening with his father as we prepare to celebrate Father's Day this weekend.

Brief Summary

The episode covers the Charleston shooting trial, wildfires, and a personal family story from Steve Hartman.

Key points

Courtroom Forgiveness. Families of the Charleston shooting victims express their forgiveness to the gunman.
Confederate Flag Controversy. Debate intensifies over the Confederate flag's presence in South Carolina after the shooting.
Gun Control Debate Renewed. President Obama emphasizes the need for a national conversation on gun safety.
Emotional Testimony in Court. A mother recounts the tragic loss of her daughter during a mass shooting.
Wildfires Rage in the West. Over 10 major wildfires are burning across the Western United States, fueled by drought.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

You took something very precious away from me.

A family member addressing the gunman in court.

1:16WatchJun 20, 2015

Tension

75/ 100High tension

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