Two Charged in Carson Murder

Authorities have charged two suspects with first-degree murder in the death of the student body president of the University of North Carolina.

Court documents filed Wednesday name the first defendant as 21-year-old Demario James Atwater, of Durham.

The second suspect, 17-year-old Lawrence Alvin Lovett Jr., is believed to be involved in a standoff with police in Durham, N.C. He is also charged with first-degree murder in the death of Eve Carson.

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Chapel Hill Police Chief Brian Curran declined to say which of the suspects shot and killed Carson, a 22-year-old from Athens, Ga., found last Wednesday lying on a street about a mile from campus.

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Two Suspects Charged in Slaying of UNC Student Leader

Associated Press, March 12, 2008

Authorities charged two suspects Wednesday with first-degree murder in the slaying of University of North Carolina student body president Eve Carson.

Demario James Atwater, 21, of Durham, was ordered held without bond at an initial court appearance. Police said they are still searching for the second suspect, 17-year-old Lawrence Alvin Lovett Jr.

Chapel Hill Police Chief Brian Curran declined to say whether Lovett was the subject of an intense police standoff Wednesday afternoon in nearby Durham. City Councilman Eugene Brown said it appears the standoff was resolved without an arrest.

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Shackled at the ankles and waist and with a public defender at his side, Atwater only whispered “yes” on Wednesday when asked at his initial appearance if he understood the charged against him. His next court date was set for March 24.

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Police believe Lovette was pictured in two photos taken at an ATM machine, driving Carson’s Toyota Highlander while Atwater is in the back seat. Police also believe Atwater was suspect shown trying to use Carson’s ATM card inside a convenience store.

Curran has previously declined to say when the surveillance photos were taken or the exact location of the ATM machine and convenience store, or if any money was successfully withdrawn from Carson’s account.

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