Michael Jordan's Father's Killer Will Remain In Prison, Parole Canceled: Report

BY Erika Marie 5.3K Views
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Michael Jordan
Larry Demery was slated for release in 2024, but it has been reported that the parole he was granted last year has been axed.

In 1993, James Jordan was inside of his red Lexus, taking a nap at a North Carolina bus stop. The car was a gift from James's son, Chicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan, and as he slept, two 18-year-olds, Larry Demery and Daniel Green, approached the vehicle and robbed the 56-year-old. They not only took his personal items and the Lexus, but they shot James to death. His remains were recovered in a swamp 11 days later.

The devastating incident took over headlines for years and in 1995, Demery pleaded guilty and received 40 years while Green received a term of life plus 10 years. The former would testify against his friend by fingering Green as the person who pulled the trigger. 


In 2008, an error was found to be associated with Demery's sentencing and he was later resentenced to life, thus then making him eligible for parole. Last year, we reported that Demery was granted parole and was scheduled for release in 2024, however, ESPN now states that those plans have been canceled.

The state Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission had announced in 2020 that Larry M. Demery would be released as part of an agreement in which he would take part in a scholastic and vocational program designed to prepare him for life outside prison. The initial release date was August 2023, but it was later pushed back by 12 months.

The commission said Tuesday in a news release that Demery's "agreement has been terminated" effective immediately, giving no reason. The release said that Demery, who is serving a life sentence for the first-degree murder of James Jordan in 1993, would be reviewed again for parole on or about Dec. 15, 2023.

It has been speculated that Demery may have engaged in behaviors that violated the conditions of his parole program, but that has not been confirmed at this time. It was, however, reported that the 46-year-old has had several run-ins behind bars, 19 infractions to be exact. The most recent was reportedly earlier this month.



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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.