CHARLESTON, S.C. — At a brief but emotional hearing in federal court here on Friday, Dylann Roof indicated that he wanted to plead guilty to federal charges related to the killing in June of nine members of a storied African-American church.

But his lawyer, David Bruck, told the court that he could not advise Mr. Roof on how to plead without knowing whether prosecutors planned to pursue the death penalty against him.

Mr. Roof, 21, was escorted into the courtroom in a bluish-gray striped prison jumpsuit, bound by tight shackles. Appearing to bite his lip as he took his seat, he stared downward and made no eye contact.

Flanked by his lawyers, Mr. Roof stood as Magistrate Judge Bristow Marchant read through 33 federal charges that included hate crimes resulting in death, weapons charges and obstructing the practice of religion. Mr. Roof could face the death penalty in 18 of the 33 charges against him for the June 17 shooting rampage at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.