Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 15, 1993 TAG: 9308150059
SECTION: NATL/INTL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
Authorities did say they were hopeful that the four people arrested so far - three on Saturday and one on Friday - might help lead them to Jordan's killer.
"These people may have crossed paths," said Capt. Art Binder, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department's chief of detectives.
Charlie Sheppard, an FBI spokesman in South Carolina, said agents are looking into the possibility of kidnapping and at the elder Jordan's business interests in South Carolina, because his car was found in one state and his body in another. "We're basically trying to see if we can retrace his steps," Sheppard said.
The Raleigh News & Observer reported Saturday that police said Jordan owed various debts to his company, JVL Enterprises Inc., in Rock Hill, S.C. A Mecklenburg County court clerk said various lawsuits have been filed against Jordan and the company, which makes T-shirts, socks and shorts.
Federal authorities refused to say whether they were looking into possible links between James Jordan's death and his son's publicized gambling.
Binder said the elder Jordan's red Lexus automobile was stripped on July 26, the day it was ditched in a wooded area near Fayetteville.
"I think Mr. Jordan died a considerable time before the car was stripped," he said. "I'm saying Mr. Jordan was dead by the 26th."
Jordan was last seen alive July 22, after attending a friend's funeral.
Asked if he believes the killing was premeditated or a random act, Binder responded, "If I had to lean toward one thing, I would lean that it was a spirit of the moment opportunity."
Three people were arrested Saturday in the stripping of Jordan's car: Terrelis Marnicus Teasley, 22; Kenneth Connor Farrior, 20; and Jovan Jamahal Carter, 18, all from Fayetteville.
Farrior's 16-year-old brother was charged Friday with helping strip the car of its tires and stereo equipment.
Saturday, Marlboro County Sheriff Chuck Foley defended County Coroner Tim Brown's decision to cremate the elder Jordan's badly decomposing body, and promised, "There will be an answer to this murder."
Jordan's body was identified Friday by dental records.
Michael Jordan issued a statement Saturday through the Michael Jordan Foundation in Chicago.
"We will respect the request of law enforcement officials that we not comment regarding the circumstances surrounding his death while their investigations are continuing," he said. "We ask that our friends respect our needs for privacy while we mourn the loss of the head of our family."
The family asked that, in lieu of flowers, gestures of support be directed through The Michael Jordan Foundation, a charity that raises money for needy children. The address is 737 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 1423. Chicago, Ill. 60611.
by CNB