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CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. -- A man whose entire family was killed -- possibly because of the opium ring he's accused of running -- may not spend any time in prison.
That's what would happen if a plea deal in the works for the Catawba County man is approved.
Brian Tzeo says he's not ready to talk on camera but he told NewsChannel 36 on Monday that he still feels like his family is just away on vacation. He can't accept that they were all killed.
Tzeo spent five hours sitting alone in court Monday, waiting for his case to be called. He says he has no one left. His entire family was killed in March -- his wife and three children, the youngest just 3 years old.
Investigators have always said the killings were likely related to the opium ring Tzeo is charged with running out of the same house where the murders happened.
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But his attorney says he has suffered enough and he shouldn't have to serve any jail time for the three drug charges he faces.
"I think public perception is that it was his fault or that he had something to do with it," said defense attorney Dan Fulkerson. "He's aware. He just is a man who lost all of his children and his wife."
People who live across from where the killings happened adamantly disagree.
"He should do jail time plus," said resident Margaret Piercy. "I don't think the man suffered enough. What about the three children and his wife? They're the ones that don't have a life."
Tzeo says he misses his family so much that he has moved out of the family home and now lives with friends for support.
His lawyer is hoping to get a deal worked out that will allow him to serve probation in California where he has other relatives.
"I'm hoping he can move on with his life," Fulkerson said. "He's not going to be able to be punished by the court system any more than he has been punished."
Tzeo's next court appearance is in November. No plea deal is official at this point.
