Judge Requests Release Of Man Convicted Of Killing Michael Jordan’s Father From Jail In Shocking Turn Of Events

Judge Gregory Weeks sentenced Daniel Green after he was convicted of murdering Michael Jordan’s father in 1996, and he’s now requesting Green’s release from prison.

The North Carolina judge oversaw the case of the murder of James Jordan, father of NBA legend Michael Jordan, and sentenced him to life in prison. He petitioned the state’s parole commission Tuesday to set Green free, alleging that a forensic blood analyst investigating James’ murder withheld an important finding, according to ABC News. Weeks claimed the analyst failed to report that the blood-like substance found inside the car where James was killed may not have been his blood.

Prosecutors argued that Green shot Jordan while he was asleep inside his Lexus on Highway 74, an affidavit from the judge said, according to ABC News. Green was 18 years old at the time. His childhood friend, Larry Demery, accused Green of firing the shot. Green told ABC News he and Demery had gone to a cookout when his friend told him he was about to make a drug deal. He alleged that Demery returned clearly shaken and requested that Green assist with disposing a body. Green told the outlet he decided to help his friend, but maintained his innocence in the murder.

Authorities found Jordan’s corpse in a swamp in South Carolina almost two weeks after, roughly 60 miles distant from the Lexus, in Robeson County, North Carolina, according to ABC News.

BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN – AUGUST 18: Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing looks on during the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 18, 2024 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)

Weeks claimed that during the trial the analyst didn’t reveal that additional forensic tests run from the Lexus’ interior came back negative or inconclusive for blood, according to ABC News. He said he is concerned the omission of these tests kept out critical evidence that could have altered the trial’s outcome. Criminal justice advocates in attendance at the proceeding claimed Weeks said the findings have disturbed him for almost three decades.

Green, who is now 49 years old and is locked up at the Southern Correctional Institution in North Carolina, was briefed about the recent turn of events.

That the judge who “presided over my trial asked that I be paroled is significant,” Green told ABC News from prison through the phone.

“It speaks volumes about this case, and I’m overwhelmingly grateful,” he said. (RELATED: REPORT: DA Reviewing Convictions Of Menendez Brothers, Who Could Ultimately Be Set Free)

A spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction said the commission is anticipated to deliberate for a minimum of a month on whether to parole Green, according to ABC News.