Terry Dale Greenwood, a 39-year-old man from Wilmington, NC, tragically lost his life on March 22, 2017. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning in a cul-de-sac on Julie Drive in the Monkey Junction area. According to reports, the altercation involved three men, including Terry Dale Greenwood, Anthony Paul Lanza, and Aaron Christopher Stephens. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found all three men wounded and lying in the street. Terry Dale Greenwood was pronounced dead at the scene, while Anthony Paul Lanza, 35, was taken to New Hanover Regional Medical Center with serious injuries from stab wounds. Aaron Christopher Stephens, 42, had minor bruising and was later charged with second-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
The investigation revealed that the altercation between Greenwood and Stephens was believed to have been centered around Stephens' wife, with whom Greenwood may have had a relationship at some point. The autopsy report indicated that Greenwood was shot in the face and stabbed eight times. The crime scene was described as chaotic, with investigators finding a handgun, knives, a gun clip, and a slap stick. Video surveillance from a street camera showed Greenwood driving his vehicle to the end of Julia Drive, followed by Stephens in his white Mercedes Benz. Although the shooting was not captured on camera, a gunshot could be heard early in the recording, followed by sounds of the altercation.
Aaron Christopher Stephens, a validated member of the Hells Angels motorcycle club, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Greenwood's death. He made his first court appearance on March 23, 2017, with his wife and children present in the courtroom. The bond was set at $1 million. The case went to trial in New Hanover County Superior Court, with jury deliberations beginning more than five years after the incident. The trial involved multiple witnesses and evidence presented by both the prosecution and defense. The state rested its case after two weeks of testimony, and closing arguments were expected to be delivered before the jury began deliberations.
