Convicted murderer could get chance for parole in 2007
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on August 17, 2005 1:47 PM
Larry Buckram, who was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Melvin Best near Mount Olive in 1990, has been approved for release program that could end in his being paroled by the state Parole Commission.
Buckram has been approved for the Mutual Agreement Parole Program, a scholastic and vocational program administered by the state Department of Corrections and the commission. Successful completion of the program would result in his being paroled in February 2007.
Buckram was found guilty in Duplin County Superior Court of striking Best on the head with a two-by-four board during an argument. He was convicted of second-degree murder.
Buckram is currently being held in the Tillery Correctional Center, a minimal security facility in Halifax County.
Duplin Assistant District Attorney Kelly Neal said Buckram pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Nov. 27, 1990. He said the investigation revealed that Best had gone to the home of a man near his house about work and that Buckram arrived later and an argument ensued. A witness testified that Buckram struck Best with the board.
Buckram, who was then 36, was sentenced to life in prison.
The state's current sentencing law eliminated paroles for crimes committed on or after Oct. 1, 1994. Offenders who committed crimes before that are eligible for parole.