Nearly 30 years after the tragic murder of James R. Jordan Sr., father of NBA legend and NASCAR team owner Michael Jordan, the convicted killer Daniel Green might soon gain his freedom. The case that has loomed large after its high-profile convictions in 1996 is now under scrutiny once more as North Carolina’s parole commission deliberates on Green’s potential release, according to the New York Times.
James Jordan was murdered in July 1993 on a North Carolina highway while resting in his car. Two teenagers, Daniel Green and Larry Demery, were accused and later convicted of the crime. The violent act puzzled the public given its random nature, and unsurprisingly profoundly affected Michael Jordan, influencing his unexpected first retirement from professional basketball in 1993.
Things moved quickly following the identification of Jordan’s body, with Daniel Green found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison due to the felony murder law in North Carolina. Larry Demery, convicted on the basis of his plea deal, testified against Green claiming he was the shooter, a key factor in securing Green’s conviction. Both the accuracy and fairness of this conviction process were heavily reliant on the testimonial evidence presented at the time.
Nearly three decades after the trial, newly raised concerns about the verdict have brought focus back to the case. Judge Gregory Weeks has admitted his regrets about the decisions made during the trial. He recently petitioned for Green’s release, citing haunting concerns over the legitimacy of evidence, including the inconclusive blood test results.
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“I had never been haunted in such a manner as he was haunted by this case,” Weeks told the commission.
Daniel Green, who was 18 at the time of the crime, maintains his innocence in the murder itself while admitting his role in handling the body. He has consistently claimed that he was innocent of murder, only involved after the fact when Larry Demery asked for his assistance post-crime. Green has penned a statement to the parole commission expressing deep remorse for his part in the events, stating:
“Every day I live with the remorse and the pain and the suffering caused by my youthful decisions. I regret the harm my actions inflicted on the Jordan family.”
The advocacy for Green’s case extends beyond Judge Weeks. Supporters such as Rev. Thomas Jones have voiced their strong alignment with the push for Green’s release. Jones, a known criminal justice advocate, was affected by the judge’s plea:
“When I heard the judge speak on his behalf, I was weeping. I was flabbergasted.”
On top of this, organizations like the North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence, led by Christine Mumma, continue to work on behalf of Green. They argue for a new trial based on alleged due process violations and ineffective legal counsel during the initial proceedings.
James Jordan was a role model for his son, influencing both his personal and professional development, and sharing a mutual passion for sports. As a former serviceman turned mechanic, he was instrumental in helping shape Michael Jordan’s illustrious career spanning basketball and beyond.
The deliberation by the North Carolina Parole Commission is expected to last at least a month, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the state’s Department of Adult Correction, via the New York Post report.
