Pender County man convicted of assault with a machete

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Pender County man is found guilty of a machete attack that happened last year.

A Pender County jury convicted Terry Beckett, 49, of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. Beckett was sentenced to between 2 and 3.5 years in prison have a three day trial.

The charges stem from a June 9, 2014 incident at Lanier’s Grocery in Maple Hill. Beckett and the victim had an argument that escalated into the assault.

Beckett reached into his vehicle, pulled out a machete, and swung it at the victim’s midsection. In an effort to protect himself, the victim blocked the swing with his arms, resulting in a severe injury to both hands and nearly severing his left thumb.

At trial Beckett claimed he was defending himself against the victim, who was unarmed.