news-record.com

GRAHAM (MCT) — A 57-year-old man pleaded guilty in Alamance County court Monday for his role in the 2008 death of a man during a dispute over the condition of a recreational vehicle.

Jerry W. Hill was scheduled to go on trial this week on a charge of first-degree murder. On Monday, he entered an Alford plea to one count of voluntary manslaughter. The Alford plea means he acknowledged there was enough evidence for conviction without admitting wrongdoing.

Prosecutor Pat Nadolski said the shooting of 44-year-old Eugene Lee Jr. followed an argument outside of Hill's home at 2056 Durham St. in Burlington. The argument was over the functioning of the air conditioning of a camper trailer Lee had bought from Hill two months prior.

Nadolski said Lee started having issues with the air conditioning the weekend before the shooting when he and his wife took it to a drag race and noticed that it was not cooling properly.

According to witness testimony, Nadolski said that on June 10 Hill unsuccessfully tried to fix the air conditioner, then went to Hill's house to get his money back. Lee and Hill argued, but Lee eventually left.

Lee returned the next night and the two again argued. As Lee turned to leave, Hill shot him in the chest and back with a .22-caliber revolver. Lee died on the way to a hospital.

Nadolski said Hill told police he shot Lee, who had his hands in his pocket, because he wouldn't leave.

The prosecutor said a later inspection found no problem with the air conditioning.

After the hearing, Superior Court Judge James Spencer revoked Hill's bond and said he should remain in custody until sentencing.