Atwater Gets Life in Prison in Killing of UNC Student Body President

RALEIGH, N.C. (WGHP) - The man who admitted killing the student body president at the University of North Carolina has been sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years for his crimes.

Demario Atwater learned his sentence Thursday in federal court in Winston-Salem.

U.S. attorney spokeswoman Lynne Klauer said Atwater got a life sentence for charges including kidnapping and carjacking resulting in death. The extra 10 years comes because he used a sawed-off shotgun.

Atwater pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and other charges in state court in May. His guilty pleas to both state and federal charges avoided a possible death penalty.