CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Latest on a guilty plea by a friend of the man accused of gunning down nine black parishioners during a Bible study in a South Carolina church (all times local):
1:45 p.m.
A friend of the white man accused of shooting nine black parishioners to death in Charleston has pleaded guilty to federal charges as part of a plea deal.
Joey Meek on Friday admitted lying to authorities and failure to report a crime during a hearing in federal court in Charleston.
Authorities have said Meek failed to tell investigators all he knew about Dylann Roof's plans to shoot nine black parishioners at Emanuel AME Church last June.
Roof is charged with nine counts of murder in state court and with hate crimes and other charges in federal court.
The plea deal requires Meek help the government with its case against Roof, and he could get a break on his own possible eight-year sentence if he cooperates.
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2:30 a.m.
A friend of the man accused of gunning down nine black parishioners during a Bible study in a South Carolina church is appearing before a judge to plead guilty to federal charges.
Under a plea agreement signed by 21-year-old Joey Meek and federal prosecutors, Meek will plead guilty to lying to authorities and failing to report a crime. He appears before U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel on Friday in Charleston.
Authorities allege Meek failed to tell investigators all he knew about Dylann Roof's plans to shoot parishioners at Emanuel AME Church last June.
The 22-year-old Roof, who is white, is charged with hate crimes and other charges in federal court. He also faces nine counts of murder in state court in a death-penalty trial set for next January.
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