CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — A jury on Tuesday found Terrell Thomas guilty of attempted first-degree murder in the trial of shooting and paralyzing a father of four in Cabarrus County.
Thomas is one of two men charged with robbing and shooting Gregory McKee at an Interstate 85 rest stop in 2015.
Thomas is guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and attempted first-degree murder.
"A devastating crime and I do have remorse for what happened,” Thomas told the court.
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"Nobody should have to go through that,” Thomas said. "I hope that one day God touches that man and he gets up out of the chair."
Looking at the family, Thomas said, “Forgive me for that right there."
Police said Thomas and the other suspect, Darren Manuel, both have gang ties. For that reason, the judge requested extra security during the trial. Manuel will spend the next 18 years in prison for the crime after taking a plea deal in October.
McKee's wife, Terrie, and several witnesses have testified in the case, and closing arguments wrapped up Monday.
"The events ... will forever be etched in our minds," Terrie McKee told the judge.
During Gregory McKee's recovery, officials said Manuel called his girlfriend from jail and told her to tell Thomas that Gregory McKee "had to go."
(Gregory McKee)
Keyona Powell attempted to add Thomas, who police said was with McKee the night of the shooting, on a three-way call, but the call was disconnected, according to the police report.
Powell had no part in the robbery and agreed to testify against Thomas as part of a plea deal.
Terrie McKee told the judge that she forgives Powell.
"Your honor we just want to forgive,” she said.
Powell received one to two years in prison for aiding and abetting, and prosecutors dropped the charge of conspiracy to commit murder.
Powell already served her time in jail awaiting trial.
Powell’s attorney said jail may have been the best place for her because she worried that the gang Powell was once involved with may have targeted for her after her statements to police.
Thomas will serve a minimum of 23 years behind bars.
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