By C1 Staff
WASHINGTON — The man accused in the death of Corrections Department Deputy Director Carolyn Cross appeared in court Wednesday.
NBC News reports that Dawit Seyuom, 29, has been charged with first-degree murder.
During the preliminary hearing, Seyoum’s defense requested and was granted a continuance until Dec. 1, because the defense had not received the autopsy report until Tuesday night.
Members of Cross’ family and friends attended the hearing, wearing purple.
Seyoum first appeared in court via closed-circuit television the day after Cross’ death. He was dressed I in a safety smock used to protect inmates from suicide. His wrists, inner arms and forearms were bandaged, but it’s unclear if the wounds were self-inflicted.
A medical examiner said Cross’ cause of death was strangulation, smothering and blunt head trauma. Her daughter discovered her body when she came to drive her to the airport.
Seyoum lived in the apartment building next door to Cross, but authorities believe the two did not know each other.