Carruth Trial: FBI Describes Arrest

C H A R L O T T E, N.C., Dec. 7 -- Murder suspect Rae Carruth had $3,900 incash with him when lawmen found him locked in the trunk of caroutside a Tennessee motel, an FBI agent testified today.

FBI agents caught up with Carruth at a Best Western motel inWildersville, Tenn., last December just hours after Cherica Adamsdied from gunshot wounds.

Carruth, a former professional football player for the CarolinaPanthers, is accused of hatching a plot to kill Adams in a drive-byshooting in Charlotte on Nov. 16, 1999. Adams, who was pregnantwith Carruth’s child, died a month after being shot four times. Herson, delivered by emergency Caesarean section, survived.

Carruth, 26, is charged with first-degree murder in the shootingof Adams, 24. He could receive the death penalty if convicted.

Scene Outside Motel

Mark Post, an FBI agent from Jackson, Tenn., testified Thursdaythat he and five other agents, acting on a tip received by theCharlotte FBI office, went to the motel and found a 1997 ToyotaCamry resembling the vehicle in which Carruth was believed to havefled North Carolina after Adams died.

Carruth, out on bond at the time while facing assault charges inthe shooting, was driven to Tennessee by a friend, Wendy Cole,investigators have said.

At the motel, Post learned that Cole had checked into a room andasked front desk workers to get her to come to the lobby, under theruse that there was a mechanical problem in her room.

When confronted by Post, Cole denied that Carruth was in herroom and gave agents permission to search it. Not finding Carruth,Post asked Cole if she knew where he was.

“She hesitated, and then said, ‘No, but he might be in thearea,’” Post recalled.

Agents continued to question Cole while setting up surveillanceof the Toyota. After promising Cole that Carruth would not be hurt,Post asked her again if she knew where he was.

“Her eyes pointed to the keys on the bed,” he testified. “Isaid, ‘He’s in the trunk, isn’t he?“‘