College counselor's accused killer to face judge

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- (WSOC) -- The man accused of killing a Charlotte college counselor and setting her apartment on fire will face a judge Thursday.

Mathew Benner is accused of killing his neighbor, Amanda Strous, and then setting her apartment on fire.

Police said Benner strangled Strous last June at her apartment off Toscana Way, before lighting it on fire and fleeing.

Benner escaped to Nevada but was arrested two days later and brought back to Charlotte.

Investigators said Benner lived in the unit directly above Strous and believe he may have been stalking her.

Last month, attorneys revealed that detectives found assault rifles, a handgun and about 100 bullets inside Benner's apartment.

They also found a handwritten journal which said he wrote about wanting to kill a woman's husband.

Even though Benner pleaded not guilty, police said he's confessed twice to killing Strous.