A Clayton man charged with stabbing his mother to death was allegedly caught in the act, according to prosecutors.
Michael Sanders, 43, appeared virtually in Johnston County District Court on a first-degree murder charge on Tuesday.
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The Clayton Police Department said officers found Sanders' mother, Robie, 65, with multiple stab wounds when they arrived shortly before 10 a.m. Monday at the Heritage Court Apartments on E. Main Street.
"The defendant was caught red-handed," Johnston County Assistant District Attorney Paul Jackson said in court. "[He] made comments indicating that he had killed his mother, stabbed his mother. He claims it was for drugs."
Johnston County District Court Judge Jillian Pope denied Sanders bond, meaning he will remain in custody.
Court records reveal Sanders has been convicted six times of a class one misdemeanor or higher over the last decade. Sanders is currently on probation in a different case.
"The state believes that this defendant is an extreme danger to the community, not just strangers, but even to anyone who may want to give him help or take him in," Jackson said.
In court, prosecutors said Robie Sanders had called authorities recently asking about future appointments for her son's mental health treatment.
"In my wildest dreams, I never thought that the state would have to worry about the defendant harming his own mother," Jackson said.
Appearing emotional, several family members of those involved in the case attended Sanders' first court appearance.
Sanders remained silent throughout the hearing, even when asked about whether he wanted to hire a private attorney or have the court consider appointing him a public defender.
Meanwhile, prosecutors said they remain undecided about whether to pursue the death penalty in this case.
