Prosecution Expected To Wrap Up Case In Hit-And-Run Rampage

The prosecution is expected to wrap up its case on February 24 in the trial of 31-year-old Raeford resident Abdullah El-Amin Shareef, who has been accused of a hit-and-run rampage across three counties that left one person dead and several others with personal injuries.

Shareef is charged with murder and four counts of attempted murder. The prosecution is seeking the death penalty.

Since being arrested, Shareef underwent mental health treatment and in 2008, he entered a plea of insanity. According to the defense, Shareef suffered from untreated paranoid schizophrenia when the crimes occurred.

Cumberland County Assistant District Attorney Cal Colyer argued that Shareef knew what he was doing when he “went on a murderous rampage” on April 14, 2004. According to authorities, Shareef stole a city-owned van in Fayetteville, injured three men in Fayetteville, and then killed Lonel Bass in Linden in a string of hit-and-runs.

After running over Bass, Shareef abandoned the van and took his pickup truck before traveling north. He ran over Seth Thompson in Harnett County before he was finally arrested in Fuquay-Varina after crashing the truck.

North Carolina Chief Medical Examiner Dr. John D. Butts testified on February 24 that Bass suffered a broken pelvis, eight broken ribs, and hemorrhaging in his chest cavity. He said that Bass’ injuries “would have been painful as long as he was conscious.” He lost consciousness in transit to the hospital.

Shareef’s trial had been postponed due to his being considered unable to understand court proceedings. According to court officials, medication has allowed him to become competent to stand trial.