Demario Atwater, one of two men accused of killing former UNC student body president Eve Carson, pleaded guilty to several federal charges Monday.
Along with Laurence Lovette, Atwater is accused of kidnapping and murdering the 22-year-old University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill student in March 2008. Among other charges that include kidnapping and possession of a firearm, Atwater pleaded guilty to carjacking resulting in death, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s office Monday. The plea deal stipulates that Atwater will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole but will not face the death penalty at the federal level. He will be sentenced Sept. 23.
“Today’s plea spares Ms. Carson’s family and friends the uncertainty and pain of a drawn-out trial and endless appeals,” U.S. Attorney Anna Mills Wagoner said in the statement. “We hope this resolution will help the Carson family put this horrendous act behind them, as best they can, and move on with their lives.”
Atwater and Lovette allegedly kidnapped the Athens, Ga. native from outside her Chapel Hill home just before 4 a.m. March 5, 2008. Authorities contend the two men stole Carson’s SUV and stole $1,400 after bringing her to several ATMs. Carson’s body was found at 5 a.m., at the intersection of Hillcrest Circle and Hillcrest Drive in Chapel Hill. She had been shot five times, once in the head.
“While we deplore the evil and negligence that led to Eve’s death, we agree with the U.S. Attorney’s decision to accept the plea agreement,” Carson’s parents said in the press release. “We are very grateful for the dedication and hard work that have gone into the investigation and prosecution of this crime.”
Atwater is also facing separate charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping at the state level. Lynne Klauer, public information officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District, confirmed that the federal plea deal does not affect the state charges, which also carry the possibility of capital punishment.
“We can still proceed with our case,” said Orange County District Attorney Jim Woodall. “The state can still go forward with the death penalty.”
According to The Associated Press, Orange County has not issued a death sentence in approximately seven decades.
Lovette was 17 years old at the time of Carson’s murder and cannot face capital punishment. He is also being charged with robbing and murdering Duke graduate student Abhijit Mahato at his off-campus apartment in Durham Jan. 18, 2008. Lovette faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for both murders.
Lovette and Atwater had already been charged with previous crimes and were under parole supervision at the time of the murders, prompting increased scrutiny of North Carolina’s probation system.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.