Suspect in Trooper Conner’s murder charged in unrelated murder

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — One of the suspects charged in the murder of NC Trooper Kevin Conner has been indicted in a murder dating back to 2016.

According to a news release from the Columbus County District Attorney’s Office, Chauncy Askew is charged with first degree murder in the shooting of Jerome Parrott on June 21, 2016.

It happened in the Green Acres community.

Askew appeared in Superior court Thursday morning where he was served with a copy of the indictment.

Superior Court Judge Frank Jones ordered that the defendant be held without bond and appointed attorney Kevin Peters to represent him.

Attorney Peters also represents the defendant in the unrelated murder case involving Trooper Conner.

Because the defendant was under 18 at the time of this incident this case is not eligible for the death penalty.

However, the court has previously ruled that Trooper Conner’s case does qualify for the imposition of the death penalty and the State is proceeding forward.