Death penalty jury dismissed

James Edward McKamey
James Edward McKamey (CCSO photo)

Trial was scheduled when pandemic hit

The alleged killer of a beloved local music teacher likely won’t go on trial this year.

Carol Greer was stabbed to death in the yard of her Whiteville home on Aug. 30, 2016. James Edward McKamey, 55, of Shallotte, was arrested several days later on Sept. 1. He and a female companion were allegedly driving Greer’s Subaru automobile when they were captured. The woman was not charged, and she was released.

James Edward McKamey

McKamie was charged with first degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, and multiple other felonies. He is being held under no bond.

After a grand jury returned a true bill of indictment on McKamey, District Attorney Jon David announced he would be seeking the death penalty. Jury selection began just days before the pandemic closed down courts across the state in February. Most of the 15-person panel had been seated.

Clerk of Superior Court Jess Hill confirmed Wednesday that the jury, which was being picked in Bladen County, has been released, and the case has been turned over to case management for rescheduling. All other cases that will be heard before a jury are also on hold, or being rescheduled.

“There are no jury trials going on right now due to COVID,” Hill said. “It’s been six months since jury selection began, and there’s no way to tell when we’ll actually be open again.”

At the time of McKamie’s arrest, the district attorney’s office had 30 murder trials calendared, including one other death penalty case.

Chief Resident Superior Court Judge Douglas Sasser is also the COVID-19 coordinator for the judicial district. He is formulating a plan to get jury trials back on the schedule. State Supreme Court Justice Cheri Beasley instructed all judicial districts to have a plan submitted to her office by the end of September.

McKamey is alleged to have gotten a ride from Columbus Regional with Reshonta Love to Love’s home on West Nance Street. He allegedly attacked her in the driveway of her home, and Love managed to fight him off. McKamey then fled across her back yard toward the Greer residence while Love drove herself to the hospital.

In a press conference after the arrest, Whiteville Police Chief Jeff Rosier said Love was calling 911 as she was driving to the hospital, and Whiteville Police initially responded there. They then went to Nance Street and Smyrna Drive, where they “knocked on” Greer’s door, Rosier said at the time. Officers were conducting a house by house search of the neighborhood, and missed Greer’s body in the yard behind some shrubbery by an outbuilding. Rosier noted that the neighbor who found Greer’s body did not initially see her either, but was investigating why her car was missing.

“I’m satisfied that proper law enforcement procedure was followed,” David said at the time.

McKamey is expected to be on the case management calendar in November.

About Jefferson Weaver 1928 Articles
Jefferson Weaver is the Managing Editor of Columbus County News and he can be reached at (910) 914-6056, (910) 632-4965, or by email at [email protected].

1 Comment

  1. Put the needle in his arm and get it over with why keep putting the family through the years of having to wait tho get him in court it’s been over four years now and it’s a fact he’s guilty.

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