x
Breaking News
More () »

Prosecutors won't seek death penalty for man accused in Ashanti Billie's death

Eric Brown is accused of killing 19-year-old Ashanti Billie in 2017. Ashanti Alert, named for the victim, was signed into law on New Year's Eve 2018.

WASHINGTON — Prosecutors said they won't seek the death penalty for the man accused in the death of 19-year-old Ashanti Billie.

A hearing was held Tuesday in Norfolk Federal Court for Eric Brown, the man accused of abducting and killing Billie.

Prosecutors told the court they will not seek death penalty against Brown.

All death penalty decisions are up to the attorney general and Attorney General William Barr directed attorneys not to seek the death penalty in this case, officials said.

Ashanti Billie was abducted from a Virginia Naval base on Sept. 18, 2017. At 19, she was too old for an Amber Alert and too young for a Silver Alert. Ashanti was found across state lines in Charlotte, N.C. She had been killed.

Credit: Family photo

RELATED: 'Ashanti Alert' bill passes Senate, one step closer to having missing person alert for adults

Brandy and Ashanti’s father, Meltony Billie lobbied Congress to create a notification system for adults who might be in danger and fall into that age gap. Their efforts paid off, when the Ashanti Alert was signed into law on New Year's Eve 2018.

The court granted a prosecution motion Tuesday for a government expert to examine Brown. No date for that exam has been set.

RELATED: National Ashanti Alert Act passed the U.S. Senate

RELATED: ‘We’re wasting time’ | Virginia victim’s parents fear delay in alert system implementation

Download the brand new WUSA9 app here.

Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter: Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.

Before You Leave, Check This Out