A grand jury indicted Alan Gates Tuesday on three counts of murder. Officers describe Gates as being unstable and violent. Gates' hands and feet were shackled during his court appearance. He also had a netted hood over his face to prevent him from biting or spitting at others.
Authorities said during the trip to his court appearance, Gates reportedly told an officer that he would try to run, just so authorities can shoot him.
Since his arrest, Gates has been in Raleigh's Central Prison under suicide watch.
Last week, authorities went to Gates' White Cross home in rural Orange County. Authorities found Gates passed out on the bed with a gun next to him. In another room, authorities found the bodies of Gates' daughter Valerie Michelle Gates, 24; Cordae Shimara Lee, 21; and Lee's 2-year-old son, Kendall Alexander Dianis.
A Superior Court judge advised Gates about his rights and charged him for violating a restraining order that his wife had recently placed on him.
Authorities said the couple had a previous history of domestic violence.
Gates will be back in court at the end of the month. The Orange County district attorney said he plans to seek the death penalty in this case.
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