On Nov. 29, 2001, Officer Roy Turner was found shot to death in an area at the intersection of Hillsboro and Moore streets in Fayetteville, an area known for crime and drug activity. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a Bible placed in the front seat of his patrol car. The next day, officers arrested Quintel Augustine in connection with Turner's murder.
In opening statements, prosecutors told jurors that Turner never had a chance. They told jurors Turner stepped out of his patrol car and took a few steps before he was gunned down.
Defense attorneys countered by saying Augustine did not kill Turner. They said after the shooting when police retraced the steps of Augustine, they did not find a gun, clothes with the officer's blood on them and they could not find clothing matching the description that the suspect was wearing the night of the shooting.
The prosecutors had three witnesses in court Monday testifying they allegedly saw Augustine at the scene of the crime. However, they were not able to positively identify him.
For nearly a year, Carol Fulong has been raising her 11-month-old son, Craig, all alone. She said she is glad this trial has started.
"It has been kind of tough being alone and going through what we went through," she said. "I'm glad today has come. We have been waiting for it."
The trial is expected to last three or four weeks. The trial was moved to Brunswick County because of pre-trial publicity.
Augustine could face the death penalty if convicted.
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