article_snippet: Prosecutors plan to pursue the death penalty in the trial of Craig Hicks, 46 .
article_snippet: Durham County District Attorney Roger Echols has expressed in court documents filed last week that the state plans to pursue capital charges in the case, which is currently being investigated as a possible hate crime by FBI.
article_snippet: Durham County District Attorney Roger Echols will explain Durham County District Attorney Roger Echols reasons for pursuing the death penalty at a hearing set for April.
article_snippet: Prosecutors often push for the death penalty in cases where Prosecutors can use execution as leverage to get the accused to agree to a plea deal, opting for a lesser sentence like life in prison for pleading guilt and avoiding trial.
highlights_snippet: In court documents filed last week, prosecutors expressed intention to seek death penalty for Hicks .
  