Life without parole
SMITHFIELD – Following a four week trial, a Johnston County jury convicted Gilbert Lee King Jr. of murder and ten counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle.
King was convicted last Friday in Johnston County Superior Court and sentenced by Resident Superior Court Judge Paul Holcombe to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
King was one of three defendants charged in the January 7, 2021 slaying of Michael Boyle Jr. of Charlotte. The 46 year-old man was driving his pickup on US 301 (North Pollock Street) near Poole Drive when he was shot and killed. The 46 year-old victim died from two gunshot wounds.
After hearing from law enforcement officers, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation agents, and an expert from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST), the jury returned the guilty verdicts on all charges.
The State of North Carolina was represented by Assistant District Attorneys Keith Gordon and Paul Jackson.
King’s co-defendant, Daniel Surles, was also convicted of first-degree murder on September 5th, 2024, and sentenced to life without parole.
ADA Gordon expressed gratitude to the jury for their careful consideration of a lengthy presentation of complex evidence. “We are thankful that justice has been served in this case. This was a complicated case that required the teamwork of many law enforcement professionals and agencies who worked together to solve this brutal murder and bring the responsible individuals to justice.”
“We want to thank Special Agent Mike Ludwig of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and retired Selma Police detectives Jonathan Solomon and Charles Eason along with the many officers and agents of the Selma Police Department, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office for their tireless work to bring justice in this case. We are also indebted to Federal Bureau of Investigation CAST Agent Harrison Putman for lending his expertise to the investigation,” Gordon said.
“Our deepest condolences go out to Michael’s father, mother, and brothers who sat through two painful jury trials, determined to see justice for their beloved Michael. We hope this verdict helps them find some peace. The Johnston County District Attorney’s Office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting violent crime.”
The trial for the third defendant, Sammy Gonzalez of Smithfield, is pending.
He didn’t even shoot anyone, that man chased them through out Selma, Gilbert is a good man in father.
i’m confused. how did he die of a gunshot then? even if what you say is true & he really was chased, you’re saying he didn’t shoot, even in self defense ?
There was no evidence of him shooting period!!! I am interested in seeing what the outcome of Mr.Gonzalez is going to be being he was charged and out on bond and killed another person in Smithfield
OK thank you I appreciate the context
There were multiple suspected, right?! There was no evidence that this suspect fired the specific gun that killed the victim. In this case there was no innocence until proven guilty, it was the opposite. As a BLACK man he was already considered guilty and his peers were majority white men just as the victim. As for the third suspect, all his charges were dismissed guess the article should have added only the black men were convicted huh?!
This was not a case of innocent until proven guilty. It was the opposite. As a BLACK man they didn’t care to try to prove his innocence. There was NO evidence that he fired a shot that ended the life of the victim. There was solid evidence that the victim WAS in FACT the aggressor. This BLACK man was judged by majority Whites! The article should have added that only BLACK men were convicted and Gonzalez charges were dismissed.
This man did not shoot anyone, he is a good father and person just wrong place wrong time, that man chased them throughout selma.
The jurors found him guilty based on the testimony. He was running with the wrong crowd.
Yall ready to take a black man’s life life without parole is crazy only because he is black joco yall got do better free Gil