Man accused of tying up wife, killing her parents will appear in court

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man accused of tying up and terrorizing his wife and killing her parents is expected to enter a plea Thursday in court.

Vurnel Smith is facing the death penalty in the 2017 case.

[RELATED: Man accused of tying up wife, killing her parents will face death penalty]

Prosecutors said Smith tied up his wife and assaulted her for days before he beat her parents to death in their north Charlotte home in July 2017.

(

Vurnel

 Smith)

After his wife finally escaped, police found her 69-year-old father’s body in the trunk of the car she drove to the hospital.

[ [PAST COVERAGE: Manhunt underway after woman killed, man's body found in car trunk] ]

The case is one of the few in Mecklenburg County where the suspect is facing the death penalty. Prosecutors asked for it because of the gruesome and gut-wrenching aspect of the crime.

(Rufus Gordon and Jacqueline Gordon-White)

During Smith’s last court hearing, a year ago, prosecutors said it appeared he appeared to have two different personalities, and the judge ordered psychological testing for him.

[RELATED: Double homicide suspect claims he blacked out, has no recollection of crime]

Channel 9 will have a crew in the courthouse Thursday, check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this case.

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