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UNC murder suspect to be arraigned on federal charges

The U.S. magistrate has ordered Demario James Atwater be moved Nov. 17 to the Middle District of North Carolina for an arraignment schedule for Dec. 2.

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Demario Atwater
GREENSBORO, N.C. — One of two men charged in the shooting death of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill senior Eve Carson will be moved from Central Prison next week.

The U.S. magistrate has ordered Demario James Atwater be moved Nov. 17 to the Middle District of North Carolina for an arraignment in U.S. District Court on Dec. 2.

Atwater, 22, faces federal charges of carjacking resulting in death in connection with Carson's March 5 slaying. The charges carry a potential death sentence if he is found guilty.

Investigators believe Atwater and another man, Laurence Alvin Lovette Jr, 17, kidnapped the 22-year-old and forced her to withdraw $1,400 from ATMs before shooting her five times, including once in the head, near UNC's campus.

Orange County District Attorney Jim Woodall has said he is also seeking the death penalty on the local charges related to the crime, which include first-degree murder, robbery and kidnapping.

While at Central Prison, where he's been since his arrest, Atwater has received nine infractions, which include lock tampering, gang involvement and threats to staff.

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