Ben Chavis was a leader in the riots that occurred after the murder in Oxford. He was in his early 20's at the time. He went on to lead the riots in Wilmington NC and was jailed as part of the Wilmington 10.
http://www.lib.unc.edu/ncc/ref/nchistory/feb2005/
Tbe N&O on the postponed hearing:
http://www.newsobserver.com/1185/story/538000.html