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UNC murder suspect asks again to delay federal trial


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Demario Atwater
Demario Atwater

One of the suspects accused of killing UNC's student body president last year wants to delay his federal trial until May 2010.

Demario James Atwater Jr. faces 11 state and federal charges in connection with the March 5, 2008, shooting death of Eve Marie Carson, including federal charges of kidnapping, carjacking resulting in death and carrying and using firearms during and in relation to carjacking.

Earlier this year, a federal judge denied a request from Atwater's attorneys to delay the trial until January 2010. The federal trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 2.

But in court documents filed last week, Atwater's defense attorneys said the state crime lab is still analyzing a shoe print, an ATM receipt and other evidence found in Carson's SUV.

They also want more time to research Atwater's upbringing and background.

Carson, 22, was shot five times, including once in the head with a 12-gauge shotgun, and left on a street near the UNC campus. Police found her body after residents reported hearing gunshots.

Atwater and another man, Laurence Alvin Lovette Jr., 18, face state charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, robbery, felonious larceny and felonious possession of stolen goods.

Atwater also faces charges of possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a weapon of mass destruction for the size of the shotgun investigators believe was used in the crime.

The state has said it will also seek the death penalty for Atwater.

Under a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that prohibits the executions of criminals under 18 at the time of a crime, Lovette will not face the death penalty because he was 17 when Carson was killed.

RELATED TOPICS: Supreme Court, Death Penalty

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5 times with a 12 gauge? Who cares if he was 17? Death penalty is appropriate for something so savage.

The sad truth is Eve's family and friends will be subjected to multiple continuances and delays. I waited two years and 8 months to sit through the murder trial for the individual who confessed to killing my brother. I sat through two very long weeks of trial for the nut case to finally admit she killed my brother - she could have done that 2 yrs and 8 months earlier. The only justice in our judicial system is for the criminals not the victims nor the victim's family and friends. This trial will most likely last even longer due to our Federal Courts being involved. My heart goes out to Eve's family and friends.

No more wasted time,let's move forward with the trial. let the verdict come, then let's proceed with the sentence. These teenagers/kids think that life is all fun. they commit these crimes, and could care less. I'm sick of it. You can't discplined them , or you get in trouble. we need to send precise, swift messages to the youth. if you gang bang, steal, rob,kill, or any violent crime. you need to be judged as an adult. The research back ground trick her is garbage. I know plenty single , Fathers and Mothers, who kids turned out wonderful. These kids know right from wrong, they just think because they are not adults they can get away with anything. let's put a stop too it. And we should start right here with these idiots. They took Ms. Eve Carson life because they were to lazy to get educated, and work for what they wanted. So no pity party here. Lets move forward.

Hopefully the judge will deny this request, too! Oh, Puleeeze!!!!

Ridiculous.

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