I don't think you and I are reading the same stories. Roof did not deny the killings and has not tried to avoid the death penalty. I haven't read anything at all about him demanding his "special snowflake status and benefits", whatever that means. 

I would describe Mr. Roof as extremely misled. What he did was very wrong, but he believed it was right, never attempted to deny he did it, and accepts the penalty. He is a horrible example of noble conduct in an evil cause.