Flying Biscuit to donate profits to honor slain worker #CLT

The south Charlotte restaurant where pregnant manager Danielle Watson was slain will donate its profits this month to a fund set up in her name.

The Flying Biscuit Cafe on Rea Road made the announcement Wednesday. The profits will be given to the Danielle Watson Memorial Fund, as well as the American Cancer Society, at the request of Watson's family, according to a statement from the restaurant.

"We continue to mourn the tragic loss of Danielle," said cafe owner Hugh Bigham. "Danielle was a wonderful employee and terrific person and we miss her very much. We hope to create a lasting legacy in Danielle's honor in the community."

On Jan. 14, a garbage truck driver discovered Watson's body behind an outdoor trash bin near the cafe in the StoneCrest shopping center.

The night before, the 25-year-old had been closing the restaurant when, police said, she was attacked and robbed by co-worker Mark Anthony Cox, a 22-year-old felon who'd been released from prison about two months earlier. He'd been convicted on robbery and breaking and entering charges.

On Monday, a Mecklenburg grand jury indicted Cox on charges of murder, murder of an unborn child, robbery with a dangerous weapon and larceny.

Since Watson's death, The Flying Biscuit has been criticized for hiring Cox.

The owner has said that the restaurant did not run a background check on Cox, but that Cox admitted his previous conviction during the interview process. Bigham said recently that Cox had been hired on a "trial basis."

The restaurant could face a state alcohol law violation for hiring a felon who'd been convicted within the last three years.

But the restaurant has said Cox was a member of the kitchen staff and had no direct contact with the sale or distribution of alcohol.

The restaurant also announced Wednesday that it would host an all-you-can-eat pancakes event with live music on Feb. 18.

Several other businesses in the StoneCrest area plan to donate 10 percent of their profits that day to the memorial fund, according to a statement.

via charlotteobserver.com