A North Carolina man could be put to death if convicted on a first-degree murder charge, which reportedly came about because his own mother recognized him in surveillance footage featured on the news.
Per arrest warrants obtained by WECT, 22-year-old Charles Michael Haywood has been accused of the first-degree murder of 42-year-old Margaret Bracey, who died on August 24.
The Surf City business owner was stabbed to death while working at Exotic Hemp Company. On the day she died, a man was caught on camera entering the store, speaking to her, and stealing money when she opened the register before stabbing her several times.
Haywood returned home that day to the home he was living in with his mother at the time. His hand was bleeding and his mother took the young man to hospital to seek treatment.
She later came across surveillance footage showing her son in connection with the fatal stabbing. The following morning, she took him to the police station, where he was arrested.
Haywood was said to have stolen around $750 of merchandise and cash, which he placed in his backpack. He left his sweatpants and bandana at the scene - leaving the store wearing only his shirt, boxers and flip flops, according to WECT.
Investigators followed a trail of blood drops to an intersection about 700 feet from the home Haywood had been living in with his mother.
“[Haywood’s mother] brought Haywood to the Surf City Police Department where he was interviewed and ultimately arrested for first-degree murder and armed robbery,” the documents state, according to WECT.
“While interviewing [Haywood’s mother], she advised that Haywood had returned to her residence with his shirt wrapped around his hand. [She] stated that Haywood entered the residence and showered. [She] stated that she checked on Haywood and found that he had a laceration to his hand that required medical attention.
“[She] stated that Haywood put the shirt he had wrapped around his hand into a trash bag and put the trash bag into the outside trash can.”
Authorities have since seized Haywood's clothes, medical records and surveillance from the hospital where he was being treated for his hand injury.
Haywood has been charged with murder and armed robbery and is being held without bond. He first appeared in court in connection with the murder on August 26.
The Pender County District Attorney is calling for the death penalty, per WWAY.
“I know this is a case that has shocked the community,” DA Ben David told the station. “I know this is something that a lot of people have turned their attention to, and we are most certainly giving this a very high priority in the criminal justice system.”
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