Competency hearing underway in 2012 delivery driver murder investigation

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A competency hearing began in Wilmington today to determine if the accused ringleader in the 2012 murder of a Chinese food delivery driver can face the death penalty.

Cornell Haugabook Jr., 23, and five others were charged in the June 2012 killing of Zhen Bo Liu.

Haugabook’s attorneys argue that he is mentally retarded. That would prohibit the state from seeking the death penalty.

The hearing is expected to last several days.