A federal judge agreed Thursday to delay the trial of Dylann Roof, the man responsible for a mass shooting at a Charleston church.

The Associated Press reports U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel decided to push back Roof's trial to January, allowing defense attorneys and federal prosecutors more time to prepare. Roof, a white man, is accused of murdering nine black people when he opened fire at the Emanuel AME Church on June 17. He is being charged with a number of hate crimes, amongst other federal offenses.

Federal prosecutors have not stated whether or not they intend to seek the death penalty. The U.S. Justice Department is currently reviewing the matter.

Roof was not present at the court meeting. According to court documents, the accused waived his right to appear and to a speedy trial. Federal law dictates a trial must be held within 70 days of indictment, unless a guilty plea is given.

According to the AP, defense attorney David Bruck said Roof intended to plead guilty at his arraignment in July, but was advised against it. The defendant is expected to plead guilty at the upcoming trial.

Roof also faces nine counts of murder in state court. Although several of the victims' family members have not advocated for the death penalty, state prosecutor Scarlett Wilson believes Roof should be executed. She called the shooting "the ultimate crime that deserved the ultimate punishment," and said she intends to argue for the death penalty at the state trial next year.

Judge Gergel will also see the case of 21-year-old Joey Meek, a friend of Roof who is accused of lying to law enforcement, and of having knowledge of Roof's intention but not reporting it.

The Justice Department released a statement, stating, "Meek is alleged to have taken steps to conceal his knowledge of the crimes committed by Dylann Storm Roof, and to have made materially false statements when Meek told a Special Agent of the FBI that he did not know specifics of Roof's plan to shoot individuals on a Wednesday, during Bible Study, at an AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, prior to Roof's attack on June 17, 2015."

Meek faces up to three years in prison for a misprision count, and up to five years for a false statement charge.