Timothy Leon Stokley III, a 37-year-old African American male, was found dead from gunshot wounds in the early hours of December 31, 2015, in the 1200 block of Sawyer Road in the Newland section of Pasquotank County, North Carolina. Stokley had recently returned to the area after previously moving away. His body was discovered lying in the roadway, and the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to the scene shortly after midnight.
The investigation revealed that Stokley had been shot multiple times, leading to his untimely death.
Harold Clyde Griffin Jr. was arrested and charged with first-degree murder on January 4, 2016, in connection with the death of Timothy Stokley III. Griffin, who had been acquainted with Stokley, was found guilty of the murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. The trial took place in March 2018, where the jury returned a verdict of guilty. The evidence presented at the trial indicated that on the night of December 30, 2015, Griffin, along with several individuals, including Jessica Skinner and Lela Reid, had been partying and drinking alcohol. Stokley was introduced to the group by Griffin, and later, Griffin asked Skinner to give Stokley a ride home.
During the ride, Skinner pulled the vehicle off the road next to a field, and both Griffin and Stokley stepped out of the vehicle. Shortly after, gunshots were heard, and Stokley was found dead. Griffin then re-entered the vehicle and threatened Skinner and Reid, instructing them to drive around for a while. The trial court entered judgment upon the jury's verdict, sentencing Griffin to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The case of Timothy Stokley III's murder highlights the tragic loss of a young African American man and the subsequent legal proceedings that led to the conviction of his killer. The investigation and trial brought to light the events leading up to Stokley's death and the actions of Harold Clyde Griffin Jr., who was ultimately held accountable for his crime.
