10 things you need to know today: August 1, 2015

Dylann Roof pleas not guilty to hate-crime charges, Hillary Clinton calls for end to Cuba trade embargo, and more

Hillary Clinton
(Image credit: Gaston De Cardenas/Associated Press)

1. Suspected Charleston church shooter pleads not guilty to federal hate-crime charges

Dylann Roof pleaded not guilty to federal charges including hate crimes and obstructing the practice of religion for allegedly murdering nine people in a historically black church in Charleston, South Carolina. Roof had wanted to plead guilty to his 33 charges, but because prosecutors haven't revealed if they're seeking the death penalty, his defense attorney couldn't advise a guilty plea. Roof also faces charges for nine counts of murder in South Carolina, and the state could also decide to seek the death penalty.

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Julie Kliegman

Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.