Jury convicts Pender County man in 2021 killing of stepfather

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Pender County jury has convicted a man of first-degree murder in the 2021 killing of his stepfather.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, Michael Thomas Rich was convicted Tuesday of murdering Paul Busovne and was sentenced by Judge Tiffany Powers to life in prison.

Rich was also convicted of attempted murder and three felony assault charges related to the attack on his mother. He received a sentence of 175 to 222 months on the attempted murder conviction, which will run concurrently with the life sentence. The judge arrested judgment on the felony assault charges.

Prosecutors said the incident happened Nov. 13, 2021, at a property on Shiloh Road where Rich had been living in a farmhouse owned by his parents.

According to officials, Rich’s parents went to speak with him that morning about taking his medication and continuing to live on the property when he became angry and grabbed a knife.

Authorities said Rich stabbed Busovne 19 times, killing him. Prosecutors said he then chased and attacked his mother, breaking her ribs and clavicle.

Neighbors reportedly came to help during the incident, while Rich repeatedly claimed he acted in self-defense.

Investigators said Rich later told detectives with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office that his parents had previously shot him and attempted to poison him, claims prosecutors said were false.

After being interviewed and arrested, Rich was taken back to the hospital for back pain. Authorities said he attempted to flee from officers after being cleared at the hospital but was quickly captured before leaving the building.

During the trial, Rich argued self-defense, diminished capacity and not guilty by reason of insanity. Jurors heard more than a week of testimony before convicting him on all charges after about 40 minutes of deliberation.