Murder suspect apologizes to victim's family | Crime

SALISBURY - One of three men charged in the robbery and murder of a Rowan County convenience store owner asked the judge to apologize to the victim's family on his behalf.

Christopher Watson, Maurice Robinson, and Kevin Canzater are all charged with first degree murder and robbery for the death of Hecham Abualeinan.  Abualeinan was the owner of the Z and H Mart on Highway 150.  He was killed Monday night just after 9 after confronting Watson, according to the sheriff.

All three suspects made their first appearance in court Thursday afternoon.  The appearance was done by video for Judge Beth Dixon.

During his appearance, Watson asked Judge Dixon to apologize on his behalf.

"Is there anyway I can have you just tell his family I'm sorry?" Watson asked.  Dixon told him he needed to talk to his lawyer.  It did not appear that any members of Abualeinan's family were present.

All three suspects asked for a court appointed lawyer.  Judge Dixon said those appointments would be made by the Indigent Defense Services.  She did assign provisional attorneys.  Watson will be represented by James Randolph, Robinson by Darren Jordan, and Canzater by Nancy Gaines.

During Robinson's appearance he told Judge Dixon that he was blind.  When she assigned him for a hearing in Probable Cause Court on January 9th, he replied that he already had an appointment in Raleigh related to another criminal offense and said "I gotta be in Raleigh, that ain't gonna work."

Judge Dixon told him that it would be worked worked out and that he, and the other two would have hearings on January 9.

All are being held without bond.