Accused killer of N.C. woman to face death penalty

NEWTON, N.C. - State prosecutors will seek the death penalty against the accused killer of a North Carolina woman, reports CBS affiliate WBTV.

Sharman Odom, 34, is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree sexual offense and first-degree kidnapping in the death of 31-year-old Maggie Daniels.

Prosecutors had previously filed notice in August that they planned to argue for death as a sentence in the murder of Maggie Daniels, a school guidance counselor who was found strangled in her Newton apartment on June 27, according to the station. A court hearing on Monday, known as a Rule 24 Conference, made the prosecution's intentions clear in open court with the defendant present.

WBTV reports Daniels' mother, Kathy, was in the courtroom. "She wanted to be here," said Assistant District Attorney Kyle Smith.

Kathy Daniels reportedly watched as Odom walked into the courtroom and sat down at the defense table and continued to stare at the suspect during the hearing. She did not speak with media afterwards, instead gathering some of her slain daughter's things and driving back to Ohio.

The hearing lasted only a few minutes, according to the station. Odom is due back in court Oct. 6 for an arraignment hearing.