Suspect in Laurens County deputy death in court

LAURENS, S.C. (AP) — The man accused of killing his girlfriend and a Laurens County deputy has been released from the hospital and has appeared before a judge.

Bennie Ray Brown Jr. was still in a wheelchair as he was arraigned Sunday morning.

The 39-year-old Brown on Saturday was released from the hospital, where he was being treated for a gunshot wound to the leg.

Authorities say Brown shot 29-year-old deputy Roger Rice Wednesday night at a home near Clinton. Rice was trying to arrest Brown for the killing of his girlfriend a few hours before at her job at a Fountain Inn auto parts plant.

Police said 38-year-old Nicole Kingsborough was found dead in her car from a gunshot wound.

Prosecutors are considering if they will seek the death penalty.

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