Eve Carson

Eve Carson was student body president at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill when she was kidnapped, robbed and killed on March 5, 2008. Lawrence Lovett and Demario James Atwater were arrested and charged with first degree murder in connection with the incident. Both Federal and State prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Atwater, but cannot seek it against Lovett because he is a minor.CNN: Death Penalty Sought Against Suspect in UNC Shooting (January 16, 2009)

On January 16, 2009, U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty against Demario James Atwater, who already faces the death penalty for first-degree murder, robbery and kidnapping in the state of North Carolina. CNN: Death Penalty Sought Against Suspect in UNC Shooting (January 16, 2009)Atwater, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, is set to go to trial in November.Georgia Public Broadcasting Blog: Dealth Penalty Sought in Eve Carson Case (January 17, 2009)

Court documents released in the case say a confidential female informant contacted police after she had spoken with Atwater. She had seen a photo on television of someone attempting to use Carson's ATM card, and spoke with Atwater soon after. The informant claims he told her that he and Lovett had entered Eve Carson's home through an open door and forced her to accompany them in her car. They drove to an ATM and obtained her pin number before shooting her. They were able to get $1,400 out of her account, which documents revealed was the amount stolen over a two day period.CNN: Death Penalty Sought Against Suspect in UNC Shooting (January 16, 2009)

The Crime

Eve Carson's body was found at an intersection near the UNC campus on the morning of March 6, 2008. Police later arrested Lawrence Lovette and Demario James Atwater in connection with her murder. Authorities charged Lovette and Atwater with first-degree murder. Atwater is also charged with first-degree kidnapping, felonious larceny, armed robbery and felonious possession of stolen goods.CNN: Death Penalty Sought Against Suspect in UNC Shooting (January 16, 2009)

Autopsy Unsealed

Carson's autopsy report was unsealed on Monday, June 30, 2008. The report reveals she was shot five times by two different guns. Wound patterns show that Carson attempted to use her hands to shield herself from a shotgun blast to the head.Chapel Hill Chief Medical Examiner: Eve Carson Autopsy Report<ref/>