“Daniel Andre Green takes first step to getting parole in James Jordan murder”: Michael Jordan’s father’s murder-accused gets boost in his bid for release from prison

Akash Murty | 05/12/2021
"Daniel Andre Green takes first step to getting parole in James Jordan murder": Michael Jordan's father's murder-accused gets boost in his bid for release from prison

The man who is in jail for the murder of James Jordan, father of NBA legend Michael Jordan might get the chance to tell his side of the story. 

Daniel Green has won his first victory in his attempt to prove that he is innocent. Just a month after his son had won his 3rd NBA title in a row establishing himself as one of the best to ever play basketball, on July 23, 1993, some robbers shot James Jordan to death while he slept in his car. 

The two men were arrested when they were trying to make calls from James’ phone that they had stolen along with the car and some championship rings of Michael Jordan.

Also read: “Vince Carter was supposed to be the next Michael Jordan”: Gilbert Arenas believes the 2000 NBA Dunk contest and Olympics champion could’ve been a top-3 player ever

After their arrest, the second man, Larry Demery said that they had planned only to tie up their victim and that Green pulled the trigger for no reason. The accusation was based only on Demery’s testimony, Green hadn’t testified. 

Demery testified at his trial that he watched Green shoot Jordan, and then helped dump the body in a swamp. 

Green denied killing Jordan, but both of them got conviction and received a life sentence. While Green and his attorneys kept trying to get a trial for years, Demery has parole scheduled in 2024.

Daniel Andre Green finally has a chance to get a trial

Green’s attorneys have added new documents, asking motion for a new hearing for more than a decade with no effect. A Superior Court judge last year denied Green’s motion for relief.

According to the Raleigh News Observer, the North Carolina Court of Appeals reversed a judge’s decision to deny a hearing on evidence his attorneys hope will clear his name.

North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence joining his cause has got for Green and his case a new ray of hope. Although this victory doesn’t mean Green’s trial is a guarantee, it sure brings hope to a man who claims he’s innocent for more than 28 years since his conviction.

Also read: “It’s very gratifying that I earned Larry Bird’s respect”: Michael Jordan on his 63 points game against Boston Celtics in the 1986 playoffs

MJ was averse to showing his emotions after his father’s killing. But he decided to take time off basketball to pursue baseball. And the rage he had in his second stint with the Bulls clearly showed his emotions. He won three more championships after coming back to the NBA.

Post Edited By: Amulya Shekhar
James Jordan Michael Jordan

About the author

Akash Murty

An Electrical and Electronics Engineer by degree, Akash Murty is an NBA Editor at The SportsRush. Previously a Software Engineer, Murty couldn’t keep himself away from sports, and his knack for writing and putting his opinion forward brought him to the TSR. A big Soccer enthusiast, his interest in basketball developed late, as he got access to a hoop for the first time at 17. Following this, he started watching basketball at the 2012 Olympics, which transitioned to NBA, and he became a fan of the game as he watched LeBron James dominate the league. Him being an avid learner of the game and ritually following the league for around a decade, he now writes articles ranging from throwbacks, and live game reports, to gossip. LA Lakers are his favourite basketball team, while Chelsea has his heart in football. He also likes travelling, reading fiction, and sometimes cooking.

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