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2 Won't Face Death Penalty in Girl's Death

At least two of five teens charged in the September shooting death of a 12-year-old Moore County girl won't face the death penalty if convicted, authorities said Wednesday.

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Emily Elizabeth Haddock
CARTHAGE, N.C. — At least two of five teens charged in the September shooting death of a 12-year-old Moore County girl won't face the death penalty if convicted, authorities said Wednesday.

Emily Elizabeth Haddock was at home sick on Sept. 21 when someone broke into her Marks Road home outside Vass and shot her several times with a .22-caliber handgun, authorities said. Investigators said they believe the intruders intended to burglarize the house, but were surprised to find the girl at home.

Sherrod Nicholas Harrison, 20, Michael Graham Currie, 18, Van Roger Smith Jr., 16, and Perry Ross Schiro, 19, all of Cameron, and Ryan Jermar White, 18, of Sanford, have been indicted on charges of murder and breaking and entering in the case.

Moore County prosecutors said they don't plan to pursue a capital case against White because investigators said he wasn't in the home at the time of the slaying.

Smith will be tried as an adult in the case, but he can't face the possibility of a death sentence because of his age, authorities said.

Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty against Harrison and Currie. They haven't decided yet how to proceed against Schiro.

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