By Erin Smith
One of the two suspects in the murder of NC Highway Patrol Trooper Kevin Conner is scheduled to be in court on Friday, January 11.
Chauncy Askew of Chadbourn is facing charges of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Askew could receive the death penalty if he is convicted. He is scheduled to have a Rule 24 hearing on Friday in Columbus County Superior Court.
A Rule 24 hearing is held to determine if the State will be seeking the death penalty, according to www.ncdistrictattorney.org.
Askew was arrested in Loris, SC, on Tuesday, October 23, 2017, by law enforcement officials from both North Carolina and South Carolina. He waived extradition and was returned to North Carolina.
Trooper Conner was killed in the line of duty while making a traffic stop in Columbus County. According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, at approximately 12:15 a.m. on Wednesday, October 17th, 2018, Trooper Conner stopped a white GMC pick-up truck for a speeding violation on US 701 near Sellers Town Road in Columbus County. As Trooper Conner approached the vehicle, shots were fired striking the Trooper and he later died of his injuries at the hospital.
According to court records, video from Trooper Conner’s dash camera showed two people in the pick-up truck.
Also arrested in the case is Raheem Davis, who is also from Chadbourn. He was the first to be arrested and is also facing a charge of first-degree murder.
According to records with the NC Department of Corrections, Askew was convicted of felony identity fraud/theft and possession of a firearm by a felon in Cumberland County.
About Author
