Executive Summary
- Judge Paul Ridgeway ruled that shooter Austin Thompson acted with malice and premeditation during the 2022 Hedingham attack.
- Thompson, who was 15 at the time, pleaded guilty to five counts of murder last week.
- The finding of malice necessitates a “Miller hearing” to determine if the teenager will be eligible for parole.
- Sentencing arguments are scheduled to begin in court on Monday, February 2.
Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway filed a new order Monday outlining the sentencing parameters for Austin Thompson, the teenager who pleaded guilty to the October 2022 mass shooting in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood. The judicial order confirms that Thompson, who was 15 at the time of the offenses, will face a specialized evidentiary hearing to determine his eligibility for parole, based on findings of premeditation.
According to court filings, Thompson, now 18, pleaded guilty last week to five counts of murder and related charges stemming from the attack that left five people dead, including his brother and a Raleigh police officer. Judge Ridgeway’s order explicitly found that Thompson acted with “malice, premeditation and deliberation” during the commission of the crimes. In his written decision, Ridgeway stated the defendant “acted with hatred, ill will and spite and acted with a condition of mind that prompted him to intentionally inflict lethal harm without just cause.”
The finding of malice is significant under North Carolina state law. The News & Observer reported that the judge cited a written statement Thompson left at his home—reportedly admitting to the killing and describing the circumstances—as direct evidence supporting the conclusion of malice. Because the convictions are based on premeditation rather than solely on felony murder, the court must conduct a “Miller hearing” to determine if Thompson should be eligible for parole after serving 25 years, or if a harsher sentence is warranted.
Defense attorneys and Assistant District Attorney Patrick Latour are scheduled to present evidence regarding Thompson’s maturity and culpability starting Monday, February 2. This procedure aligns with statutory requirements established by the North Carolina General Assembly in response to U.S. Supreme Court rulings regarding the constitutionality of mandatory life sentences without parole for juvenile offenders.
Judicial Sentencing Precedents
The upcoming hearing underscores the complex legal framework applied to juvenile offenders in capital-grade cases following the Miller v. Alabama precedent. While adult defendants convicted of first-degree murder often face mandatory sentences, the judicial system requires a distinct, individualized analysis for minors to balance public safety with constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment. The court must weigh the severity of the premeditated violence against the developmental status of the offender at the time of the crime. It is important to note that while a guilty plea has been entered, the specific terms of sentencing remain subject to the final determination of the court in accordance with due process.
