Caldwell Co. man appears in court for murder charges

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — A Caldwell County man appeared in court Monday facing charges of murder after police say he shot and killed Raoul Dula, 34.

A sheriff's report stated Earl Moore Jr. is the suspect in the shooting that left Dula dead in the front yard of a Caldwell County neighborhood Thursday. Investigators said Dula died from severe lacerations. Dula's family members said his body was barely recognizable.

Moore was rushed into the courthouse on Monday wearing a bullet-proof vest and surrounded by half a dozen deputies.

Dula's family was sitting in the front row in court on Monday.

"If I could have gotten my hands around him I would have strangled him," said Katie Dula, the mother of the victim.

For a second day now, divers are searching Granite Falls Pond, 10 miles from the scene of the crime, where investigators believe the murder weapon was disposed. Divers have struggled in the murky conditions.

"Using your hands, you can't even see your hand in front of your face. You go down and just basically lay on the bottom and crawl around and use your hands," said Donald Byford from the North Catawba Dive Team.

Investigators didn't say what the murder weapon was or the motive behind the killing, leaving too many unanswered questions for family members, who say Raoul Dula had no enemies.

"I won't stop until I get all the answers I need. If it kills me to do it," said Katie Dula.

Moore had been arrested a few weeks before the murder for stealing some guns from a family member. He asked for a court-appointed attorney and will be back in court July 15.

WSOC