Austin Thompson, accused of killing five in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood, faces trial next month; defense challenges cell phone and computer evidence
Trial Scheduled for Austin Thompson in Hedingham Shooting Case
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Austin Thompson is accused of killing five people in the Hedingham neighborhood. His trial is set to begin on February 2.
Monday marked the deadline for both the defense and prosecution to file motions before the trial.
The defense filed a motion to block certain cell phone and computer data. Thompson’s lawyers argued that “much of the evidence the state seeks to use is either extremely old, or undated.” They added that “there is a serious danger of looking at anyone’s phone search history with a retrospective view and finding evidence to support a theory that is convenient.”
Legal expert Carl Fox noted that the prosecution faces challenges, including establishing a motive. He stated, “Jurors do like to know why something happened. It isn’t necessary, but it’s one of those things that jurors are curious about in a case like this.”
Fox also mentioned that jury selection will be difficult due to the case’s publicity. “I would suspect that they would summon 100 or so jurors a day,” he said. “It’s gotten a lot of publicity and that’s what makes it harder to try than other cases that don’t see this kind of publicity.”
Thompson’s defense attorney declined to comment on the filings. Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman also stated she would not comment on the motion before the trial.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Accused | Austin Thompson |
| Location | Hedingham neighborhood |
| Victims | Five people |
| Trial Start Date | February 2 |
| Defense Motion | Block cell phone and computer data |
| Prosecution Challenges | Establishing motive and jury selection |
