UNC murder defense to get access to some Crime Stoppers tips

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — A Superior Court judge on Thursday ruled attorneys representing the two suspects charged in the shooting death of UNC's former student body president should be allowed access to information dealing with some Crime Stoppers tips.

Judge Allen Baddour ruled that prosecutors have to turn over specific pieces of evidence that will not identify tipsters or informants.

The rest of the tips will remain protected.

Defense attorneys for Demario James Atwater and Laurence Alvin Lovette Jr. argued that they should see all of the information that would be helpful to their case, not just what authorities considered relevant.

Orange County District Attorney Jim Woodall argued that broader access to the Crime Stoppers information would expose the identities of callers, who are promised anonymity.

According to search warrants in the case, an anonymous caller connected detectives investigating Carson's March 5, 2008, shooting death to a confidential informant who ultimately led them to arrest Atwater and Lovette.

Police found Carson, 22, dead about a half-mile from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus while responding to early-morning reports of gunshots. She had been shot five times, according to an autopsy report.

Both Lovette and Atwater face a number of state charges in the case, including first-degree murder. Atwater also faces federal charges.

Both state and federal prosecutors have indicated they will seek the death penalty against Atwater.

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Just a little back ground for those who don't seem to understand why we can't seek the death penalty for crimes committed under the age of 18 - we as a society have decided that people under 18 are not mature or responsible enough to enjoy the full rights of citizenship. Minors cannot vote, enter into contracts, buy controlled substances, and a whole host of other things. The flip side of that is that we can't hold minors to the same expectations of citizenship. In other words, if they aren't yet mature enough to vote, then they aren't yet mature enough to fully understand the consequences of capital crimes. Now, I don't believe that a 17 year is so stupid as to think murder is OK, but if we want to hold 17 (16... 15...) year olds to the same legal repercussions as adults, then we have to grant them the full rights of adulthood as well.

mpheels
February 5, 2010 8:57 a.m.

This whole fiasco is going to play out in the media and the courts system for years. These two are guilty! Why are we spending millions of dollars on them? At times I just shake my head in wonder and disgust. The only winners in this whole mess are the lawyers who will no doubt get "fame and fortune" by representing these skum bags. Death penalty to both..even if one of them was only 17 years old. He was old enough to commit murder. But, alas, he won't get the death penalty unless the convicts see that justice is done.

jafarmg2
February 5, 2010 8:28 a.m.

"These guys don't deserve any special treatment or leads. They didn't give Eve Carson a choice on whether she wanted to die or not. Crimestoppers, don't give them anything! There's a reason why we have annonymous tips - stick to it!"

Wait, so you saw them murder her? I must not have seen that 100% definitive evidence showing them murdering her, so until you know without any doubt, shut up and let the justice system work.

NCStatePack
February 5, 2010 8:26 a.m.

whatever....they are desperate....they are both guilty and now they want crime stopper names (thankfully they didn't get them) and throwing the race card saying that the death penalty is sought due to the victim being white......WHAT!?!?

So if a hate crime is committed by blacks they SHOULD NOT get the death penalty.....rocks

AnotherIgnoredComment
February 5, 2010 8:18 a.m.

Although I hope I'm wrong, I'm afraid this decision will have an adverse affect on future crime stopper tipsters. Even if the names are withheld, the possibility exists that the tip itself may help identify the individual providing the tip. Even the perception of this could keep people from coming forward. Redneck Fun, I agree with you 100%; the key word you used is "ABSOLUTELY" and that may be really tough to ensure.