ONE of two men convicted of killing Michael Jordan’s father nearly three decades ago was granted parole on Tuesday.

Larry Demery was sentenced to life in prison for the 1996 murder of James Jordan.

5

Larry Demery, who was convicted of killing basketball star Michael Jordan’s father, was granted parole on Tuesday

5

James Jordan was gunned down in 1993Credit: Getty Images – Getty
In an announcement on Twitter, North Carolina Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission announced that Demery will be a free man on August 6, 2023.

On July 23, 1993, Demery and Daniel Green – both teenagers at the time – came across James Jordan, who was napping in his car on the side of a North Carolina highway.

The pair then shot 56-year-old Jordan before stealing his cherry-red Lexus, which his superstar son, Michael, had purchased for him.

Later that year, in August, James Jordan’s remains were found in a swampy area of McColl, South Carolina.

CLOSE RELATIONSHIP

Shortly after Jordan’s death, Michael, who was extremely close to his father, retired from the NBA.

Demery and Green each accused the other of being the trigger, but both were convicted of first-degree murder.

As part of the his plead deal, Demery testified against Green, saying he was the shooter.

Green, however, claimed Demery asked him to help dispose of James Jordan’s body but that he wasn’t there during the killing.

The state’s current sentencing laws eliminates parole for crimes committed on or after

October 1, 1994 – but offenders sentenced under the previous guidelines are still eligible.

According to WRAL, Green won’t be eligible for parole until October 2021.

Demery’s release is dependent on him remaining in good standing in prison.

5

Demery, pictured in court in 1993, will be a free man on August 6, 2023

5

Daniel Green, right, was also charged with first-degree murderCredit: AP:Associated Press

5

NBA star Jordan was extremely close to his fatherCredit: Getty Images – Getty