Marshall Doran faces two counts of first-degree murder. He's being held without bond.
Previously, the 22-year-old from Kure Beach was being held on a charge of attempted first-degree burglary. Police had called Doran a "person of interest" in three separate fires that heavily damaged two condominium buildings and a car early Saturday.
Two people died in the fires. They were later identified as 43-year-old Darlene Maslar and 72-year-old Mary Cochran. A firefighter and several people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
The attorney representing Doran spoke to the media after a court hearing Thursday. He said the case has taken an emotional toll on everyone in the community, including Doran's parents.
"They've lived in this community for more than 20 years ... they're absolutely heartbroken and grief-stricken over what happened this past weekend, the tragedy that happened and came upon this community. Their hearts, their prayers go out to the families involved here and everybody else that's affected by this tragedy," said Roger Smith Jr.
Doran could face the death penalty if convicted. The New Hanover County district attorney said Thursday he intends to file more charges for the injuries, property damage, and deaths of pets Doran allegedly caused.
Doran was also charged earlier this year in Wake County after he allegedly killed two Good Samaritans in a DWI hit-and-run crash along Interstate 40 near Raleigh.
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Authorities took Doran into custody in February after they found his Volvo on Lake Wheeler Road in Raleigh. Police said it was the same car that fled the scene after hitting 39-year-old Larry Kepley of Winston-Salem and 34-year-old Nathaniel Williams as they attempted to help drivers who lost control on the snow-covered interstate near the Wake-Johnston County line.
Williams was a member of the U.S. Navy who was stationed at Fort Bragg for special training. He was living in Hope Mills, and had just returned from a year-long deployment in Afghanistan the month before.
Prosecutors said Doran - who was a University of North Carolina at Wilmington student at the time - was driving under the influence and had illegal drugs in his possession as he drove from the coast to visit a girlfriend in Chapel Hill for Valentine's Day.
Prosecutors said in Doran's car, investigators found a receipt for strawberries, chocolate, and a bottle of wine. They contend he drank the wine on the drive west.
He was charged with felony death by motor vehicle, hit and run, reckless driving, and DWI. His bond was originally set at $5 million, but was later lowered to $400,000 - allowing him to get out of jail.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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