ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, March 1, 1996                  TAG: 9603010057
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL   PAGE: A-8  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: LUMBERTON, N.C.
SOURCE: Associated Press 

EX-CON GUILTY IN MURDER OF ATHLETE'S DAD HE FACES DEATH IN JORDAN SLAYING

An ex-convict was convicted of murder Thursday for shooting basketball star Michael Jordan's father during a holdup as he awoke from a nap along a dark highway in his luxury car.

Daniel Green, 21, could get the death penalty in the 1993 slaying of James R. Jordan, 57.

According to testimony, Green and his accomplice, Larry Martin Demery, 20, drove around in Jordan's red Lexus for four days after the slaying, picking up dates, and used the dead man's cellular phone to call friends and relatives.

Green also made a video of himself dancing and rapping while wearing Jordan's jewelry - a watch and two NBA rings given to him by his athlete son.

Demery himself was the prosecution's star witness. He pleaded guilty to murder before testifying against Green and also could get the death penalty.

Defense witnesses had said Green was watching television at the time of Jordan's slaying. The defendant, who changed his name to Lord D.A.A.S. U'Allah but was called Green in court, did not testify.

Asked why he thought the jury convicted him, Green told reporters, ``Your guess is as good as mine.'' As he was led out of the courthouse in shackles, he said: ``This is Robeson County. What do you expect in this county?''

Michael Jordan never appeared at the trial. A brother took the stand only long enough to identify some of their father's belongings.

The jury deliberated 41/2 hours over two days before returning guilty verdicts on all charges, including robbery and conspiracy. The jury will return Monday to consider whether Green should get life in prison or the death penalty.

Defense attorney Woodberry Bowen said Green is ``disappointed and shocked, but he's a man.''

There was no immediate comment from Michael Jordan. At a Chicago Bulls practice just before the verdict came in, he said: ``It's not going to be hard on me. It's going to be hard on my family.''

LENGTH: Short :   48 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  AP. Daniel Green, flanked by Robeson County deputies, 
          leaves the courthouse Thursday after being convicted of the murder 
          of James Jordan, father of basketball star Michael Jordan. color.