Patch Morning Briefing: Dylann Roof Sentencing; Charles Manson Hospitalization; Trump Inauguration

Good morning, Patchers - Here's the news you'll want to know to make it through Hump Day:

PROSECUTORS WILL PUSH FOR DEATH PENALTY IN S.C. CHURCH SHOOTING

Today, prosecutors will begin making their case to the jury that Dylann Roof deserves the death penalty instead of life in prison for the racially motivated slaying of nine churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina. Roof, who has opted to represent himself during sentencing, is not expected to call any witness or present evidence. (Patch and Los Angeles Times)

IN OTHER CONVICTED MURDERER NEWS

Charles Manson, the mastermind behind LA's most notorious killing spree, was taken from prison to a hospital Tuesday night. He is 82. (Patch)

BOTH CLINTONS ATTENDING TRUMP INAUGURATION

Three former presidents, none of whom voted for Donald Trump, will be there when the president-elect is inaugurated as president of the United States. That includes both Bill and the recently defeated Hillary Clinton. President Obama, too. (Patch)

People complaining about Hillary going to Trump's inauguration don't understand that the Chief Justice can inaugurate anyone in the audience
— Will Menaker (@willmenaker) January 3, 2017

QUICK HITS

'MyPillow' Gets 'F' Rating From Better Business Bureau (Patch)

WATCH: Toddler Saves Twin Trapped Under Toppled Dresser (Patch)

Woman Saves Dog From Frozen Pond in Needham, Gets Fined Afterward (Patch)

RAIN CHECK?

We'll have to wait a little longer to hear (aka read on Twitter) President-elect Donald Trump's take on security briefings regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election. He tweeted yesterday that a planned briefing with intelligence officials has been delayed and suggested — with, the New York Times is quick to note, zero evidence — that they might be stalling for time. Senior officials have disputed his account. "Very strange!" PEOTUS tweeted. (Twitter and New York Times)

NEWEST TRUMP DOCUMENTARY DEBUTS

This week, PBS' "Frontline" turned its lens on the president-elect, exploring how Donald Trump transformed from real estate developer to reality TV star to president. The 55-minute chronicle debuted Tuesday night. You can watch it online at the link. (Frontline)

THAT WAS QUICK

It didn't take more than a few hundred angry calls and one dismissive tweet from the president-elect to backpedal Republican Congressional reps' plans to weaken the Office of Congressional Ethics. The GOP withdrew the proposal in a hurry yesterday. (Patch)

MEANWHILE, IN THE GROCERY AISLE...

YOUR MORNING CRY

An 18-year-old girl and "gentle soul" died Tuesday when her car struck a tree on a New Jersey roadway, police said. If that wasn't tragic enough, her sister suffered the same fate in 2011. (Patch)

KEEP THE TISSUES OUT

The world's oldest killer whale, better known as "Granny," is presumed dead at age 105. (Patch)

BUT DON'T CRY FOR MEGYN KELLY

Fox News' Megyn Kelly, the anchor whose feuds with then-candidate Donald Trump elevated her national profile, has jumped ship to rival NBC News. The move could be a dire ratings mistake, leaving behind the captive audience of her post-"O'Reilly Factor" spot. However, we suspect she'll be just fine without them. Multiple reports suggest Kelly could be making as much as $20 million at the new gig, making her one of the highest paid journalists in the business. (Politico and Patch)

That's just about it for today. Thanks for sticking with us, Patchers. Good luck barreling through Wednesday and on into the pre-weekend home stretch. We'll see you Thursday.

Image via Charleston County Sheriff's Office