Demery, along with childhood classmate Daniel Green, shot 56-year-old James Jordan on July 23, 1993, while he was napping in his car on the side of a North Carolina highway. The pair stole Jordan’s red Lexus, which was a recent gift from his NBA star son. The elder Jordan’s remains were later found in a swampy area of McColl, S.C.
Demery testified against Green at trial, saying he was the triggerman. However, Green denied the crime and said it was Demery who asked him to help dispose of Jordan’s body.
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From The News & Observer:
Demery and Green were sentenced in 1996 after being convicted of first-degree murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.
As a rule, the commission does not discuss reasons for granting parole. But Demery was sentenced under different guidelines. Convicts serving life sentences for murder are no longer eligible for parole unless their crimes were committed before Oct. 1, 1994."
Michael Jordan dedicated his 1996 NBA Finals to his father in an emotional moment in sports history.
He said, “I know he’s watching. This is for Daddy.”
