Carolina Beach deadly fires suspect appears in court

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The man facing first degree murder charges for a string of fires that resulted in two deaths appeared in court Thursday.

Marshall Hudson Doran, 22, is charged in the murders of Darlene Maslar, 43, and Mary Cochran, 72. The two women died in the fire at 409 Carolina Beach Ave. South in early December. That was the first of three fires that night. The second fire was called in at 3:45 a.m. at 811 Carolina Beach Ave. The third fire was called in at 4:34 a.m. at 1123 South Lake Park Blvd.

Doran was first charged with attempted first-degree burglary at 611 Carolina Beach Avenue.

In a hearing Thursday morning, Doran asked the judge to allow him to use a private attorney, dropping the court-appointed attorney.

Prosecutors say they plan to present evidence to the grand jury for a possible indictment on February 2nd.

Doran could ultimately face the death penalty, and he is now being held in the New Hanover County Jail under no bond.