One of the most explosive trials in Charlotte history began to take shape in the first nine months of 2000. Former Carolina Panther Rae Carruth was going on trial, charged with first-degree murder in the death of Cherica Adams.
In 1999, Adams was Carruth’s pregnant girlfriend when she was shot four times on a dark Charlotte road. She managed to save her baby with a courageous 911 call.
The trial’s stakes were life and death. If convicted of first-degree murder, Carruth could receive the death penalty. If found not guilty, Carruth, 26, could potentially resume his NFL career.