South Carolina

Friend of racist Charleston church shooter appeals sentence

CHARLESTON, S.C. — A friend of Dylann Roof's is appealing the prison sentence of two years and three months he received for encouraging friends not to call the FBI and identify Roof after he fatally shot nine black parishioners at a church in South Carolina.

Joey Meek's lawyer filed a one-page notice of appeal on Tuesday. It gave no details.

Prosecutors say Roof told Meek he was going to kill black people at a Charleston church during a nighttime Bible study. Meek told authorities he didn't call police and told a friend not to either because he was scared following the June 2015 attack at Emanuel AME.

Prosecutors say Meek also initially lied to the FBI.

Meek's lawyer argued for a lighter sentence earlier this month, saying Meek would be in danger in prison from people angry with Roof.

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