FOUR OAKS – Following a two-week jury trial in Johnston County Superior Court, Adam Clayton Stewart of Four Oaks was found guilty of second degree murder, Friday Feb. 24th. A sentencing hearing was conducted later that day. Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Thomas H. Lock sentenced Stewart, age 40, to serve between 23 and 28-1/2 years in prison.
On October 18, 2019 at 12:14pm, a resident of the mobile home located at 6350-A Devils Racetrack Road in Four Oaks reported that her boyfriend had been shot in the head by her cousin, Adam Stewart, and that the shooting took place in a barn behind her residence.
First responders found the victim, 21 year-old Jacob Whaley, deceased from a gunshot wound to head.
Detectives with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office learned that the suspect, Adam Stewart, had left the scene driving his Jeep Grand Cherokee. Stewart’s father, who arrived on scene after hearing about the shooting from a family member, talked with his son on the telephone and told him to stay where he was and wait for Johnston County deputies. He also provided information that assisted in the investigation.
Several sheriff’s detectives drove to a location on Shaw’s Pond Road and arrest Stewart without further incident.
Stewart was interviewed by a detective and confessed to using a .22 caliber revolver to shoot Jacob Whaley. Stewart also stated that he had been using drugs earlier that day and there had been ongoing issues between himself and the victim.
Assistant District Attorney Mark Mayakis represented the State, and attorney Bob Denning represented the defendant during the two week jury trial.
Mayakis said, “The District Attorney’s Office will always devote our time and effort into violent crimes to protect the citizens of Johnston County and ensure a safe community. We are pleased with the jury’s verdict and sentence imposed in this case. Jacob Whaley left behind a family that loved him dearly and we hope that this sentence will give them some peace and closure. We would also like to thank the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office for the hard work and effort that went into the investigation of this case.”
