In a rather ironic twist, accused mass murderer Dylann Roof, who was arrested after allegedly shooting nine Bible study participants in a church last year, has challenged the court's decision to punish him with the death penalty. According to Roof's lawyers, they are asking the judge to declare the death penalty to be unconstitutional for violating human rights.

"The facts of this case are indisputably grave. But if, as we contend here, the FDPA (Federal Death Penalty Act) is unconstitutional, no one can be lawfully sentenced to death or executed under it, no matter what his crimes," the shooter's defense team stated in their request.

Roof's lawyers further stated that the Charleston shooter would be willing to withdraw his challenge if federal prosecutors, who have been pushing for the gunman to be given a death sentence for his crimes, would withdraw their initiative to grant the death penalty to the case.

"Mr. Roof will withdraw this motion and plead guilty as charged to all counts in the indictment," Roof's lawyers added.

The 22-year-old Roof is accused of shooting nine churchgoers at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 17, 2015. Roof entered the church, attended an hour of Bible study with the churchgoers, then proceeded to shoot them. Among his victims were Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the church's pastor and a state senator.

Roof was later arrested a day after the incident in North Carolina, where he told investigators that he was attempting to start a race war with his actions.

Upon his arrest, Roof incited controversy after it was revealed that the officers who arrested him treated him to a free meal in Burger King en route to the police station. According to Shelby Police Chief Jeff Ledford, Roof complained that he was hungry after his arrest. Thus, the officers who apprehended him opted to give him a free meal.

During his trial, Roof once again caused outrage after the judge who arraigned his case, Charleston County Magistrate James Gosnell Jr. told the court that Roof's family are also victims of the incident. Due to his remarks, grieving families of Roof's victims called the judge insensitive and racist.

Over the course of his case, Roof has not shown much remorse for his actions -- something that federal prosecutors used as a means to pursue the death penalty for the mass shooter.

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