Trial starts for man accused in Gastonia stabbing death

GASTONIA, N.C. — A Gastonia County man is serving an 18-year prison sentence for helping hide evidence after a man’s murder.

Mark Huntley said he only helped because the murderer, Avery Lail, threatened to kill him, as well.

Huntley told jurors he is still scared of Lail.

Investigators brought the two men into court separately so that they were never near each other.

Huntley talked about the night Brian Jones had his throat slashed.

"To this day I still have nightmares about this," Huntley said.

Huntley recounted that in March of last year the three men were drinking moonshine at Avery Lail's home, near McAdenville.

Lail and Jones got into a fight. Huntley said Jones was too drunk to defend himself.

"He was drunk; couldn't stand up. His words were slurred," Huntley added.

Huntley said he tried to pull Lail away but Lail, nicknamed “A.J.” fought him and got a kitchen knife.

“I said, “A.J.” what are you doing?'” Huntley said.

“A.J. said, “I’m going to kill him.” “I said, ‘Oh, Lord.”

Huntley told jurors he and Lail's girlfriend,  were forced to clean up.

"He kept telling me if I didn't help him he would kill me and there would be two bodies to deal with," Huntley said.

According to Huntley, Lail dumped Jones’ body near Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The two men got rid of Jones’ van in Myrtle Beach, and four days later they finished cleaning the crime scene.

Lail's attorney, Brent Ratchford, said Lail was also drunk- too drunk to remember the murder.

“He said, ‘I remember some things, but I have big gaps,’” said Ratchford.

Ratchford suggested Huntley is the one who actually killed Jones.

Ratchford said the possible motive is that Jones was dating Huntley's ex-girlfriend.

“It’s your job to try the facts and figure out what's the truth," Ratchford said.

Prosecutors offered Lail a second-degree murder plea. He could have avoided the possibility of life in prison. Lail rejected the plea.

Related Stories:

• Police say third person helped dump body 
•  Police: 3rd person may be involved in killing Gastonia man
• Bond lowered in man accused in gruesome Gastonia slaying
• 2 in court Monday after mans body found on side of the road
• Police: man killed in Gaston County and dumped in Charlotte

WSOC