Demario James Atwater pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to federal carjacking and firearms charges in the slaying of UNC Student Body President Eve Carson.
Atwater, 22, is one of two suspects charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Carson.
Federal authorities could choose to seek the death penalty under the charges of carjacking resulting in death and using a firearm during a carjacking resulting in death, and have until March 31 to decide.
Orange County District Attorney Jim Woodall announced in August that the state would seek the death penalty against Atwater. The state can’t seek the death penalty against suspect Laurence Alvin Lovette because he was 17 at the time of the murder.