The shocking twist in a nearly 30-year-old trial… the judge who presided over the murder case of Michael Jordanthe murdered father, James Jordansurprisingly asked parole officials to release convicted killer… saying he fears the wrong guy might be behind bars.
Retired judge Gregory Weekswho oversaw the 1996 murder trial, petitioned the North Carolina state parole board, asking the board to release Daniel Verdethe man who was found guilty of killing MJ’s father in the mid-90s during a botched robbery.
The reason? Judge Weeks says a forensic blood expert failed to disclose key findings during the trial… evidence that could have cast doubt on whether Green was guilty of the horrific crime.
Weeks says the expert never told the court that tests of apparent blood in the car were negative and/or inconclusive…evidence that he believes could have changed the outcome of the trial.
Of course, James, 56, was tragically shot to death on July 23, 1993, while sleeping in his car on the side of a North Carolina highway. Prosecutors alleged that Green went to the vehicle and opened fire on Michael’s father, killing him.
Green, 49, 18 when Jordan was killed, was sentenced to life in prison… and is currently serving time at the Southern Correctional Institute in Troy, NC.
“It speaks volumes about this case and I’m extremely grateful,” Green told ABC by phone this week, describing the judge’s actions to free him as “significant.”
Parole officials are now expected to deliberate for weeks or more before deciding whether to release Green in the near future.
Michael had no opinion on Judge Weeks’ request.