Authorities formally charged Lovette on Friday in the shootings of Duke University graduate student Abhijit Mahato and UNC-Chapel Hill student body president Eve Carson. Demario James Atwater had already been charged in Carson's murder.

Because Lovette is younger than 18, he is ineligible for capital punishment, even though he is charged as an adult. Jim Woodall, district attorney for Orange and Chatham counties, has not yet decided whether to pursue the death penalty against Atwater.

"Everybody has to step back, and we have to let a little bit of time pass before we make a decision," Woodall said. "This is a very emotional time."

Orange County has not sent anyone to death row since 1970.

Police have released few details about the Carson case. Carson was found dead near campus March 5.

Investigators say Lovette or Atwater shot her several times and tried to use her ATM card. Police also say Lovette drove her 2005 Toyota Highlander about the time of the crime.

On Friday, Tracey Cline, a Durham prosecutor, offered new details about how police connected Lovette to Mahato's killing. Mahato, a 29-year-old engineering student from Bengal, India, was found shot Jan. 18.

Cline said in court Friday that investigators discovered Mahato's stolen cell phone was used to call Atwater. Atwater, 21, of Durham has not been charged in Mahato's death.

Cline also said that Lovette had other property of Mahato's. And a vehicle tied to Mahato's slaying was seen at a residence Lovette visited often, she said.

Durham District Court Judge Craig B. Brown set Lovette's bail at $3 million. Later Friday, authorities took him to Hillsborough, where District Court Judge Joe Buckner ordered him held without bail in the Durham County jail. Atwater is held without bail in Central Prison in Raleigh for safekeeping.

Buckner assigned lawyer Karen Bethea-Shields to represent Lovette; the Durham County Public Defender's Office had already appointed her to represent him in the Mahato case.

"You've got the right to remain silent; you should exercise that right," Buckner told Lovette, who wore an orange jumpsuit with hands and feet shackled. "I would advise you to not speak to anybody except your court-appointed attorney."

A hearing for both Lovette and Atwater in the Carson case is scheduled for March 24 in Hillsborough. Lovette has a hearing in the Durham case scheduled for March 27.

Efforts to reach Bethea-Shields were unsuccessful as were attempts to speak with James Williams, the Orange public defender representing Atwater.