Judge to reject new trial for man convicted in murder of Jordan's father
A North Carolina judge will deny a request for an evidentiary hearing from one of the men convicted in the 1993 murder of Michael Jordan's father, James Jordan, reports Jonathan Drew of The Associated Press, citing court documents.
Judge Winston Gilchrist told lawyers Wednesday that Daniel Green's request, which could lead to a new trial for the murder, will be rejected.
Green's attorney, Chris Mumma, has filed a motion asking the judge to reconsider so new testimony from Green's co-defendant can be heard. Mumma plans to appeal if her motion is denied.
An affidavit accompanying the motion states that the co-defendant in the slaying, Larry Demery, told Mumma "that he felt coached by law enforcement to testify falsely against Mr. Green."
Green has admitted he helped dispose of James Jordan's body but maintains he wasn't present at the time of the murder.
James Jordan was sleeping in his car near Lumberton, N.C., on July 23, 1993, when he was fatally shot in the chest and the car was stolen. The tragedy contributed to Michael Jordan's decision to retire from the NBA three months later to pursue a baseball career.
Green and Demery were teenagers at the time of the murder. Both were sentenced to life in prison in 1996.