48 Hours Mystery Season 32 Episode 54 The Killing of Daniel Green

In 1991, Michael Jordan was taking the NBA world by storm as he led the Chicago Bulls to their first championship. But in the small North Carolina town of Lumberton, another kind of storm was brewing. 19-year-old James Jordan, Michael's father, was driving back from a funeral when he pulled over on the side of the road to take a nap. He was shot and killed by two young men, Daniel Green and Larry Demery, who were looking to steal his car.

For years, the killing of James Jordan remained a mystery. But in 1996, Daniel Green was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Larry Demery, who had testified against Green in exchange for a reduced sentence, was also given life in prison.

In the 48 Hours special "The Killing of Daniel Green," correspondent Erin Moriarty examines the case and speaks with Green's family and supporters, who believe that he was wrongfully convicted. They argue that there is insufficient evidence to tie Green to the crime and that he was targeted because he was an easy scapegoat.

Moriarty also speaks with the prosecutor in the case, who defends the conviction and argues that the evidence was strong enough to secure a guilty verdict. She examines the physical evidence, including blood found in the car and on Green's shoes, as well as the accounts of witnesses who saw Green and Demery in the area around the time of the murder.

The episode delves into the complex social and racial dynamics in Lumberton at the time of the murder. Green, who is Black, was tried by an all-white jury in a town with a history of segregation and racial tension. His family and supporters argue that this context played a significant role in his conviction.

Throughout the episode, Moriarty also speaks with Michael Jordan and members of his family, who have remained largely silent on the case but who are still grappling with the loss of their beloved patriarch. She explores the impact that the killing had on the Jordan family and on the town of Lumberton as a whole.

"The Killing of Daniel Green" is a gripping and thought-provoking episode that explores the complexities of the criminal justice system and the ways in which race, class, and politics can play a role in the outcome of a trial. It also provides a poignant look at the aftermath of a senseless and senseless crime and the toll it can take on the families and communities affected by it.