CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) – The latest on the Charleston church shooting, including a hearing on what evidence can be released to the media and the investigation into a friend of the suspect:
10:55 a.m.
An official says a friend of the white man accused of shooting nine black churchgoers to death in Charleston is being investigated by federal authorities.
A federal law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press on Wednesday that a letter was sent last month telling Joey Meek he was under investigation for lying to law enforcement and misprision of a felony, which means authorities believe Meek knew about a crime before or after it was committed but didn’t report it.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak publicly.
Meek has said Dylann Roof stayed with him in Lexington County before the June 17 shootings at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The investigation was first reported by The State newspaper.
___
10:50 a.m.
A South Carolina judge says he will release some police documents and other evidence in connection with the Charleston church shooting that claimed the lives of nine black worshippers.
Judge J.C. Nicholson said he wanted to sit down with attorneys for the victims and the news media to review some of the more graphic evidence – including photographs of the crime scene – before deciding specifically what will be released.
During a hearing in Charleston on Wednesday, Nicholson also indicated the 911 calls would be released, but that there had been no decision whether the tapes themselves or just simply transcripts would be released.
(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
