UNC Shooting Suspects Slipped Through Cracks

Both of the suspects charged with the murder of University of North Carolina student body president Eve Carson were on probation and one of them should have had his probation revoked when he was caught carrying a gun. Demario James Atwater, 21, and Laurence Alvin Lovette Jr., 17, both should have been under tight supervision by their probation officers.

Atwater was the first to be arrested for the murder of Carson. He was seen on a convenience store videotape trying to use her ATM card. A day later, police arrested Lovette, who was seen on a bank ATM camera trying to use Carson's card and apparently driving her SUV.

Lovette also has been charged with the murder of 29-year-old Duke University graduate engineering student Abhijit Mahato. He was killed during a robbery on January 18. At the time of both crimes, Lovette was on probation for breaking and entering.

Probation Should Have Been Revoked

Atwater was placed on probation in February 2005 for breaking into a home. Although he had past convictions for robbery and assault, he was given three years probation. In June 2006, police confiscated a handgun from Atwater during a burglary investigation.

Officials say that Atwater should have immediately been scheduled for a probation revocation hearing, but it was never scheduled due to a courtroom mistake.

"Our concern is: Why did our officers take eight months to get his case into court?" Keith Acree, a spokesman for the North Carolina Department of Corrections, told reporters. "This whole thing should have been handled last summer."

"There's no hiding this. We have not done quality supervision of Mr. Atwater," said Robert Lee Guy, director of the state Division of Community Corrections.

See Also:
NC Slaying Suspects Fell Through Cracks
Lovette Will Not Face the Death Penalty
2 Deaths and One Flawed System


Background:
The Murder of Eve Carson

Forum:
Discuss The Eve Carson Case