Raleigh attorneys to represent man charged in fatal beach fire deaths

A man accused of setting fire to three Carolina Beach condominiums last month has hired his own attorneys to defend him against two counts of first-degree murder in the case.

Marshall Hudson Doran, 22, of Kure Beach, went before a New Hanover County judge on Thursday to waive his right to be represented by court-appointed counsel on the charges.

Doran has hired Raleigh attorneys Roger Smith Jr. and Doug Kingsbery of the Tharrington Smith LLP to represent him in the case.

Carolina Beach police arrested Doran Dec. 7 on an attempted burglary charge and later charged him in connection with the early-morning fires, which killed two women and destroyed 12 beachfront condominiums along a stretch of Carolina Beach Avenue South.

Investigators haven't commented on a motive for the alleged crimes.

New Hanover County District Attorney Ben David announced in court that he plans to take the case before a grand jury on Feb. 2.

Doran, meanwhile, remains in jail without bond.

He was arrested on several charges last February in Wake County in connection with a fatal hit-and-run on Interstate 40.

Authorities said he failed to stop after he hit and killed two men on the shoulder of the highway as he tried to avoid a truck that had spun out in the snow.

Charges, including felony death by motor vehicle, hit-and-run and impaired driving, in that case are still pending.