Daniel Green Seeks Release After 30 Years for the Murder of James Jordan

Daniel Green, one of the men convicted in the murder of James Jordan, the father of basketball legend Michael Jordan, has requested to be released after spending 30 years in prison. Green, now 50, was arrested alongside Larry Demery for the 1993 murder, which authorities described as a robbery gone wrong.

Background of the Case

James Jordan’s body was discovered in North Carolina, showing signs of gunshot wounds. Michael Jordan, who had just led the Chicago Bulls to a three-peat, learned of his father’s tragic death shortly thereafter. Green confessed to assisting Demery in disposing of Jordan’s body, which was found decomposed in a swamp, but he maintains that he was not involved in the actual killing.

In a surprising development, Gregory Weeks, the judge who presided over Green’s trial in 1996, called for his release last year. Weeks expressed that he had been haunted for decades by evidence that was not presented to the jury, specifically a substance found in Jordan’s car that may not have been his blood.

Green’s Plea to Michael Jordan

In a recent interview with News13, Green issued a heartfelt plea to Michael Jordan and his family, asserting his innocence. “To Michael Jordan, to his family, I’m not responsible for James Jordan’s death,” he stated. “I’m not responsible for his death… prison is not a place that anyone should want to be. Especially somebody that’s innocent of the charges. I am innocent of these charges that I was convicted of.”

Green and Demery had known each other since third grade, and he was just 18 years old at the time of the incident. He recounted how Demery arrived at his godmother’s house with a body inside a red Lexus and how he helped dispose of it without realizing the identity of the deceased. Green claimed he was unaware that the victim was Michael Jordan’s father, although he acknowledged that Demery might have known due to discussions about championship rings.

Reflecting on his actions, Green stated, “But why did I (dispose of the body)? I mean, I was a kid… as a 50-year-old man, which is what I am right now, to ask me, why did I do something like that now? I would not be able to give you a rational reason. I was just not thinking about the consequences; I was in the moment.”

Controversial Evidence

Adding to the complexity of Green’s case is the fact that he filmed a rap video wearing an NBA watch that had been given to James Jordan by his son, as well as Michael Jordan’s 1986 All-Star ring. This footage has been cited as damaging to his claims of innocence.

Conclusion

As Daniel Green seeks to overturn his conviction and gain his freedom after three decades, the case continues to evoke strong emotions, particularly given its connection to Michael Jordan. The legal proceedings surrounding his request for release will likely draw significant attention, as the implications of the case resonate far beyond the courtroom. Green’s assertion of innocence and the judge’s call for his release add layers of complexity to a tragic story that has captivated the public for years.