NEW HANOVER COUNTY — A jury convicted a man Friday in connection to a fatal shooting that took place three years ago.
Ray Southers was found guilty of second-degree murder, misdemeanor breaking and entering, and possession of a firearm after a four-week long trial, which started last month.
The jury found Southers guilty of killing 36-year-old Jody Marie Lopez.
According to Port City Daily’s previous reporting, the defendant entered the victim’s residence in the 1300 block of South 4th Street around midnight on April 16, 2020 and shot her.
Officers found Lopez upon arrival and performed life-saving measures while awaiting the EMS. Lopez was transported to NHRMC and later succumbed to her injuries.
She had given birth to her third child only three months before.
Southers, previously convicted for common law robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, was sentenced up to 300 months in prison by the Judge Phylliss Gorham.
Tips or comments? Email info@localdailymedia.com.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
