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Prosecutors won't seek death penalty for suspects in 14-year-old's death

By Ken Lemon, wsoctv.com
By Ken Lemon, wsoctv.com

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Prosecutors announced Monday they will not seek the death penalty against the suspects charged in connection with a 14-year-old girl's shooting death in a Mount Holly park.

[PAST COVERAGE: Teen killed at Molly Holly park]

Eric Combs, 17, and Darvon Fletcher, 18, are charged with murder in the April death of Taylor Smith at River Street Park.

It took investigators two months to complete their report on the case and hand it over to the district attorney.

(Eric Combs)

"This was a very, very extensive investigation," prosecutor Stephanie Hamlin said.

Combs and Fletcher knew Smith and took her to the park in Mount Holly, according to search warrants. Fletcher reportedly said Combs was alone with the 14-year-old when gunfire rang out in the park. Police said Combs and Fletcher then left together.

Fletcher was arrested a day after the shooting. Authorities said Combs fled to Dayton, Ohio. He turned himself in about two weeks later.

Combs attorney said he's still going through witness interviews and reports, learning more about the case against his client.

"He is in good spirits, but he is also someone who has sat in custody a long time and wants to know what's going on with his case," defense attorney Mike Neece said.

Since prosecutors decided to not seek the death penalty, it meant that both suspects were eligible for bond.

Fletcher's attorney reminded the judge his client is 18 years old.

(Darvon Fletcher)

"He is a young man. His family is in Mecklenburg County, which is where he is from," defense attorney Gus Anthony said.

But Fletcher has a criminal history. The day of the murder he was wearing an ankle bracelet and was out on bond for common law robbery.

The judge set bond for Combs and Fletcher at $2 million each.

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