Man convicted of Jordan father’s murder wants sentence change

LUMBERTON (AP) — The attorney for one of two men convicted of killing basketball star Michael Jordan’s father says a sentencing mistake is keeping his client from seeking parole.

And Robeson County’s district attorney agrees with him.

Larry Martin Demery was sentenced to life in prison in the July 1993 shooting death of James Jordan, who was sleeping in his car beside a highway. Demery also was sentenced to 40 years for a pair of robberies earlier in the month.

Attorney Hugh Rogers says the sentences were to be served concurrently, but the state Department of Correction has incorrectly recorded them as consecutive sentences. If the
sentences were served concurrently, Demery could seek parole after 20 years in prison.

District Attorney Johnson Britt says that under the plea agreement, which included all of his convictions, Demery was to serve a life sentence.

A hearing on the matter is scheduled for next week.