New documents filed by prosecution before start of Austin Thompson murder trial

WAKE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- The anticipated start of Austin Thompson's trial is less than two months away and the state filed a series of new documents in preparation.

The lead prosecutor called Thompson's alleged crimes "especially heinous, atrocious or cruel."

Thompson is facing five counts of murder from the 2022 incident.

He was just 15-years-old when law enforcement says he went on a shooting rampage in the Hedingham neighborhood.

He allegedly killed his brother, a Raleigh police officer and three other victims.

The state says in the new filings that Thompson "took advantage of a position of trust or confidence" and "created a great risk of death to more than one person."

The state says it plans to call several law enforcement members from CCBI. One is expected to provide expert testimony in the field of forensic ballistics and firearms.

Raleigh Police Department detectives are also set to testify on forensic examination of digital devices.

In October, Thompson's attorney filed a motion that they were planning to use "diminished capacity, and voluntary intoxication due to therapeutic doses of prescribed medication" as part of their defense.

ABC11 did reach out to Thomspon's attorney for comment on these new filings and we have not heard back.

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman says she will not comment.

The trial is set to begin February 2.