15 years later: Rae Carruth's teenage son

STORY HIGHLIGHTS:

• Former Panthers player Rae Carruth orchestrated murder of pregnant girlfriend in 1999 
• Carruth's son turns 15 this year, will attend high school next year
• Chancellor's grandmother said she hopes he meets his father someday

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

- Saundra Adams and her grandson, Chancellor Lee, often visit the gravesite of her daughter and his mother, Cherica.

In 1999, Cherica Adams was pregnant with Chancellor when she was murdered in a high profile crime orchestrated by former Carolina Panthers player Rae Carruth.

Prosecutors argued that Cherica was killed because Carruth wanted her to abort their son.

“I tell Chancellor that his father did a terrible thing, and that he is away now because he did a terrible thing to mommy,” said Saundra Adams. “But, I tell him that mommy is happy now in heaven.”

Cherica was in a coma for 28 days before she died.

As Cherica lapsed into a coma, Chancellor was deprived of oxygen. He was delivered by emergency C-section and was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.

Since then, Saundra Adams has been devoted to helping her grandson work hard to overcome his challenges.

Now, Chancellor is preparing to celebrate his 15th birthday.

“Chancellor was in a wheelchair until he got to junior high school,” said Adams.  “When he went in the first day and saw all of the pretty girls, he got up and said, ‘I need to let them know that I can walk.’”

Chancellor is looking forward to starting high school next year.

He loves reading and horseback riding.

Many people comment on Chancellor’s resemblance to his father, but his grandmother said she thinks he favors both parents.

“I tell him what a good athlete his daddy was and how he has strong legs and a muscular body like his dad and that he can do anything,” said Adams.

She adds that it has been a long time since they’ve heard from Carruth.

“It has been some years now, but the last time that I heard from him, he was still in denial about his part in Cherica’s murder,” said Adams.

Adams said that she forgave Carruth a long time ago.

Carruth is still serving his 19-year prison sentence with an expected release in 2018.

When he is free, Adams wants him to be part of Chancellor’s life.

“I hope that he will want to see Chancellor because if anyone could turn his heart, it would be Chancellor,” said Adams. “And, Chancellor deserves the opportunity to meet his father.”

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READ OUR PAST COVERAGE:

• July 20, 2011:   Driver in Carruth murder case released from prison 
• May 25, 2011:   Ex-Panther's Son Moving Forward After Mother's Murder
• February 16, 2011: Appeals Court Rejects New Trial For Former Panthers Player Carruth 
• February 15, 2011:  Appeals court rejects new trial for former Panther
• October 6, 2010: Former Panthers Player Carruth Appeals Conviction
• March 21, 2005: Ex-Panther Loses Bid To Get New Trial
• March 10, 2005: Rae Carruth And Mother Visit In Jail
• March 10, 2005: Former Carolina Panther Wants New Trial
• March 10, 2005: Rae Carruth Returns To Mecklenburg County Court This Morning
• May 11, 2004: Theodry Carruth Denied Visitation Rights For Grandson
• February 5, 2003: Van Brett Watkins: A Killer Speaks Out

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