His long, dark hair looked scraggly as Jeffrey Andrew Hazelwood was led into the courtroom Friday wearing a navy jail suit and shackles. But it was the murder suspect’s bizarre behavior that got the most attention.
Hazelwood hands and legs shook, seemingly uncontrollably, and he seemed aloof during his first court appearance since being charged with two counts of murder. The 20-year-old, accused of killing two teenagers early Monday behind a Roswell grocery store, seemed to mumble to himself and, at one point, appeared to pet something in his lap.
Five days after the brutal murder rocked the North Fulton community, the public got its first real look at the alleged killer.
But the biggest questions still remained unanswered: why were the two 17-year-olds behind a Publix just hours before one was due at school? And how was Hazelwood connected? Why would he kill them?
Roswell police and Hazelwood’s attorney declined Friday to release information on a possible motive in the case. Neither would comment on Hazelwood’s mental state while in court.
Hazelwood will remain in the Fulton County jail until Aug. 19, when his preliminary hearing is scheduled. His attorney, Lawrence Zimmerman, spoke briefly to reporters after the hearing but declined to discuss any specifics of the case.
“We’re going to investigate and work hard to help this gentleman,” Zimmerman said. “It’s a sad story. Two young people are dead and a young man is charged. We’ll know more as this goes on.”
Hazelwood was wearing what appeared to be a wedding band in the courtroom Friday. Hazelwood’s social media postings include pictures of a girlfriend, but there is no mention that the two were married.
Natalie and Carter, both 17, were found dead around 6 a.m. Monday behind the King Plaza Publix on Woodstock Road, according to Roswell police. Both had been shot once in the head.
Within 48 hours, investigators were closing in on their suspect, police Chief Rusty Grant said. Cell phone technology placed Hazelwood both at the scene of the crime and at a nearby gas station, where the suspect allegedly used a bank card belonging to Natalie, Grant said.
Hazelwood was arrested at 5:37 a.m. Wednesday, a police report released Friday states. He was questioned by Roswell police and held overnight at the city’s detention center before being booked into the Fulton County jail late Thursday.
The funeral for Natalie was also held Friday morning, the morning after hundreds attended a vigil in her honor. Carter’s funeral was held Thursday morning.
About the Author
The Latest
Featured
