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Friend of Charleston gunman jailed for lying to police | Friend of Charleston gunman jailed for lying to police |
(about 9 hours later) | |
A friend of the Charleston gunman who killed nine worshippers at an African-American church has been jailed for lying to police about the tragedy. | A friend of the Charleston gunman who killed nine worshippers at an African-American church has been jailed for lying to police about the tragedy. |
Before his sentencing, 22-year-old Joey Meek tearfully told the court he was not sure if he would survive in prison. | Before his sentencing, 22-year-old Joey Meek tearfully told the court he was not sure if he would survive in prison. |
"I'm really, really sorry. A lot of beautiful lives were taken," he told bereaved relatives gathered in court. | "I'm really, really sorry. A lot of beautiful lives were taken," he told bereaved relatives gathered in court. |
His friend, Dylan Roof killed nine worshippers during a Bible study in a church in South Carolina. | |
Meek pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and failure to report a crime. | Meek pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and failure to report a crime. |
"I don't know if I'll make it out of prison alive. I'm scared," he added before the federal judge handed down his sentence of more than two years. | "I don't know if I'll make it out of prison alive. I'm scared," he added before the federal judge handed down his sentence of more than two years. |
Prosecutors said that white supremacist Roof had told Meek about the plot a week before the attack. | Prosecutors said that white supremacist Roof had told Meek about the plot a week before the attack. |
He said Roof had shared his violent plans during a night at Meek's house as they drank vodka, took drugs and played video games. | He said Roof had shared his violent plans during a night at Meek's house as they drank vodka, took drugs and played video games. |
In filing documents, his lawyer said that his "failure to appreciate the seriousness of Roof's statements is not unusual in today's shock value culture". | In filing documents, his lawyer said that his "failure to appreciate the seriousness of Roof's statements is not unusual in today's shock value culture". |
Judge Richard Gergel said Meek's punishment should serve as a deterrent against anyone else who hears of a serious crime and fails to report it. | Judge Richard Gergel said Meek's punishment should serve as a deterrent against anyone else who hears of a serious crime and fails to report it. |
Meek's "failure to make an earlier report is tragic and deeply regrettable, but his failure to report was not a violation of federal criminal law," the judge wrote, having ruled earlier that Meek could only be prosecuted for his actions after the attack that claimed nine lives. | Meek's "failure to make an earlier report is tragic and deeply regrettable, but his failure to report was not a violation of federal criminal law," the judge wrote, having ruled earlier that Meek could only be prosecuted for his actions after the attack that claimed nine lives. |
The judge added that "the danger he exposed to the community is extraordinary" because he did not call police to identify Roof as a suspect, and that Roof could have committed more attacks while on the run. | The judge added that "the danger he exposed to the community is extraordinary" because he did not call police to identify Roof as a suspect, and that Roof could have committed more attacks while on the run. |
Meek's lawyer, Deborah Barbier, said in a statement outside the courtroom that "Joey sincerely hopes that anyone who has a friend who is talking about hurting someone will take it seriously, learn from his mistake and notify the proper authorities immediately''. | Meek's lawyer, Deborah Barbier, said in a statement outside the courtroom that "Joey sincerely hopes that anyone who has a friend who is talking about hurting someone will take it seriously, learn from his mistake and notify the proper authorities immediately''. |
Meek and Roof both met at school but later drifted apart. | Meek and Roof both met at school but later drifted apart. |
They rekindled their friendship when Roof contacted Meek on Facebook to say he had seen his mugshot online. | They rekindled their friendship when Roof contacted Meek on Facebook to say he had seen his mugshot online. |
Meek had a previous criminal record for burglary. | Meek had a previous criminal record for burglary. |
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