Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 28, 1995 TAG: 9505060016
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: LUMBERTON, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
A teen-ager pleaded guilty Thursday in the murder of Michael Jordan's father and agreed to testify against another man, almost two years after the killing helped push Jordan into retiring from basketball.
Larry Martin Demery, 19, faces a minimum of life in prison on the first-degree murder charge. He told Judge Gregory Weeks he understood he also could face the death penalty.
Sentencing will be delayed until after the trial of Daniel Green, 20, who is also charged in the July 23, 1993, killing of James Jordan. That trial has not been scheduled.
The 56-year-old Jordan was shot as he napped in his car on the shoulder of an highway south of town while taking a break on a trip from Wilmington to Charlotte. His body later was found in a South Carolina swamp.
Demery originally pleaded innocent, but told police in August 1993 that he helped dispose of Jordan's body.
Michael Jordan, in Charlotte for the National Basketball Association playoffs against the Charlotte Hornets, said ``Nope, none at all,'' when asked if he had any reaction.
James Jordan died just a month after watching his son lead the Chicago Bulls to a third NBA title. Michael Jordan said his decision to retire had been in the making before his father's murder, ``but I think what it made me realize is how short life is.''
When Michael Jordan walked away at the pinnacle of his career in October 1993, he spoke of an ``overwhelming feeling of grief and loss'' after his father's death.
After a brief stint in minor league baseball, he rejoined the Bulls on March 19.
He left his No. 23 jersey hanging in the rafters at the Bulls' home arena, saying it was the last number his father had seen him wear. Instead, he wears the No. 45 he wore as an outfielder for the Double A Birmingham (Ala.) Barons.
Asked why Demery entered the plea, District Attorney John Britt said: ``I would not reduce the murder charge.'' Britt had said he would seek the death penalty.
Defense attorney Hugh Rogers, however, said he would characterize the plea as an attack of conscience.
by CNB