Trial date set for man accused of hitting UNC students with SUV

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (AP) — A March 31 trial date has tentatively been set for a man accused of driving an SUV into students on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

An Orange County Superior Court judge today also denied a public defender's request to lower bail for Mohammed Taheri-azar from $5.5 million to $500,000 to $750,000.

Taheri-Azar is accused of hitting nine people with a rented SUV in March 2006. He has said he aimed to avenge Muslim deaths at the hands of Americans. Taheri-Azar was 22 at the time of the incident.

None of those injured in the attack had to stay overnight at a hospital.

Taheri-Azar pleaded not guilty in January to nine counts of attempted first-degree murder and nine counts of assault.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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