A trial date was set Thursday by a judge in Charleston, S.C., for the 21-year-old suspect in last month's church massacre.

Dylann Storm Roof will begin trial July 11, 2016, where he will face nine counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and a weapons charge in the shooting at Emanuel AME Church in June.

The judge, Ninth Circuit Judge J.C. Nicholson, also temporarily extended the gag order in the case, which will prevent the release of public information such as pictures and 911 tapes about the shooting. The gag order will expire at the end of next Wednesday, although family members will have a chance to request an extension if they wish.

The gag order was imposed over fears that the release of pictures and tapes of the shooting could be a possible violation of the victims' rights. He also cited a concern that releasing some of the public information would put Roof's right to a fair trial in jeopardy.

Roof, who has reportedly confessed to the June 17 shooting, appeared at the hearing.

Roof's attorney, Ashley Pennington, said his client "communicates well" and does not expect any issues going forward with the suspect's mental competency.

(h/t Post and Courier)