NORTH CAROLINA, USA – Craig Stephen Hicks, the main suspect in the killing of three North Carolina college students who were Muslims, could face the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder.
Hicks, 46, is set to appear in court today for a hearing that will determine if he will be facing the death penalty for killing Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23; his wife Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, 21; and her sister Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19.
Durham County District Attorney Lawyer Roger Echols earlier said he plans to seek the death sentence if Hicks is convicted of first-degree murder.
The police said a long-extended dispute over parking space triggered the deadly outburst of hicks.
Family member disclosed that they have had problems with Hicks in the past, although they did not elaborate.
Yusor Mohammad planned to start dentistry school this fall while Razaan was a student at North Carolina State University.
Friends and family said Deah and Yusor were raising money to travel to Turkey to provide dental care to Syrian refuges.
The condo complex where the shootings occurred is home to many UNC graduate students.
Cancellor Carol L. Folt of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill said the entire university met the news with deep sadness. – BusinessNewsAsia.com