Chris Paul — More than two decades after the killing of Nathaniel Jones. The grandfather of NBA star Chris Paul. A North Carolina judge has vacated the convictions of four men.
Judge Robert Broadie overturned the convictions of Nathaniel Arnold Cauthen, Rayshawn Denard Banner, Christopher Levon Bryant, and Jermal Matthew Tolliver.
The decision came after a review of recanted witness testimony. There were questions over police conduct, inadequate legal representation, and new DNA evidence.
“The evidence presented in court demonstrates that these men did not commit this crime,” Judge Broadie stated. “Justice requires that their convictions be set aside.”
The ‘Winston-Salem Five’
The men are part of the so-called Winston-Salem Five. They were accused of robbing and killing the 61-year-old Jones outside his home in November 2002. Jones, a beloved figure in the community, was beaten to death. Something that affected Paul, who was then a high school basketball star.
Three of the five men had already served time and been released before the ruling. Christopher Bryant and Jermal Tolliver are free, while Anthony Brayboy, another co-defendant, died in 2019.
Two Still Behind Bars
Despite the overturned convictions. Cauthen and Banner remain in prison. The North Carolina Attorney General’s office filed an emergency petition. The petition asks the Court of Appeals to halt their release while reviewing the case.
The court granted a temporary stay, meaning the men remain incarcerated until the appeals process is complete.
Chris Paul’s Connection
Chris Paul has previously spoken about the devastating impact of his grandfather’s death. He dedicated his early NBA success to Jones’s memory.
What Happens Next
The appellate court will decide whether to uphold Judge Broadie’s ruling or reinstate the convictions. Advocates for the men are calling for their immediate release, citing decades lost to wrongful imprisonment.