Sapikowski will be tried for murder

Although Adam Sapikowski, the Chapel Hill teen accused of murdering his parents, was indicted by a grand jury Monday, the next steps in determining his future are still uncertain.

Sapikowski was indicted on two counts of first-degree murder and is slated to appear July 19 in Superior Court.

District Attorney Jim Woodall said Tuesday the direction or pace of the trial still is unclear.

“Any number of things could happen — his bond could be revisited; motions could be filed by either side,” he said.

But he noted that it will be a preliminary hearing.

“There will be many other court dates,” he said.

Bond was denied for Sapikowski at his last court appearance June 6.

His attorney, public defender James Williams, requested that bond be set at $150,000 for each charge for a total of $300,000.

Williams argued at that time that relevant circumstances do not support a first-degree murder charge, indicating that physical and emotional abuse might have provoked the killings.

But citing several concerns, including the absence of a legal caretaker, Judge Charles Anderson denied the request.

Woodall said Tuesday the grand jury’s decision was expected. “I was not surprised,” he said. “That’s what we anticipated.”

Sapikowski stands accused of killing his parents, James Sapikowski, 52, and Alison Sapikowski, 49, at their Chapel Hill home.

At Adam Sapikowski’s last court appearance June 6, Woodall said he believed the murders occurred April 28 — about two weeks before the bodies were found.

It was also revealed at that time that an SUV was found in the Sapikowskis’ garage filled with food, camping gear and the shotgun used in the shootings.

Woodall also noted then that Adam Sapikowski had access to $19,000 in a checking account and had asked a friend to leave town with him.

During the two weeks before the bodies were found, Adam Sapikowski checked in and out of a Durham Marriott hotel.

He also is said to have attended his school’s prom April 30.

Investigations began after an out-of-town relative contacted local law enforcement after not being able to get in touch with the family for more than a week.

The bodies were found wrapped in blankets inside the house. Shotgun shells were found on the floor nearby.

Further details about the investigation were revealed later in a warrant dated May 26.

Lauren Sapikowski, Adam Sapikowski’s sister, told investigators about a “secret hiding place” in his room. She said the space might be hard to find with someone who is unfamiliar with the room and could contain a box with information.

Adam Sapikowski’s girlfriend said he gave her a key, but she did not know what the key unlocked.

The warrant also revealed that Adam Sapikowski “has an extensive knowledge of guns and was a member of a gun club.”

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.