Retired North Carolina judge Gregory Weeks recently petitioned the state’s parole commission to release Daniel Green, who was convicted of the 1993 murder of Michael Jordan’s father, James Jordan. Green, along with his co-defendant Larry Demery, was found guilty of killing James Jordan during a botched robbery when they were 18 years old. Details about Weeks’ petition are confidential, and neither Weeks nor Michael Jordan have commented on the matter.
James Jordan was shot and killed while sleeping in his red Lexus along a North Carolina highway. His body was later found in a South Carolina swamp and identified through dental records. At the time of his murder, James Jordan’s son Michael had already won three NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, having gifted the car to his father. Green was convicted of murder during a robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery, while Demery testified that Green was the one who pulled the trigger. Demery pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery, also receiving a life sentence.
Throughout the years, Green has maintained his innocence, stating that he did not kill James Jordan but admitting to helping dispose of the body. Despite this claim, he was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the murder. Parole commission hearings in North Carolina are not open to the public, so the specifics of Weeks’ petition remain unknown. It is unclear what factors led to Weeks’ decision to call for Green’s release after serving over two decades in prison.
The high-profile nature of the case, given the victim’s connection to basketball legend Michael Jordan, has brought additional scrutiny to the conviction and sentencing of Daniel Green. The tragic murder of James Jordan in 1993 deeply impacted his family and the community at large. While Demery testified against Green during the trial, Green’s continued denial of pulling the trigger raises questions about the fairness of his conviction.
As a breaking news reporter for NBC News, Minyvonne Burke covers stories that captivate public attention, such as the recent developments in the Daniel Green case. Rebecca Byrd also contributed to the article, which sheds light on the ongoing efforts to seek parole for Green. The controversy surrounding the murder of James Jordan and the subsequent legal proceedings highlights the complexities of the criminal justice system and the impact of high-profile cases on those involved.
