RALEIGH, N.C. — Jury deliberations are set to continue Friday in the murder trial of Christopher McCullough, a 31-year-old man accused of fatally assaulting his mother. The trial has drawn attention due to the nature of the charges and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
On Thursday morning, both the prosecution and defense delivered closing arguments before jurors began deliberating in the afternoon. McCullough faces serious charges following an incident that occurred at his parents’ residence on August 6, 2023. During the altercation, both his mother, Mary, 75, and his father sustained injuries and required hospitalization.
The defense maintains that while McCullough acknowledges he struck his father, he did not intend to cause harm to his mother. They have argued that McCullough was in a diminished mental state due to drug use and had been awake for an extended period, seeking gas money at the time of the incident.
Taking the stand Thursday, McCullough reiterated his claim of innocence concerning the alleged assault on his mother. He denied any intention to inflict serious harm.
During the proceedings, Assistant District Attorney Melanie Shekita emphasized the severity of the attack, stating it resulted in a life-threatening brain injury to the victim. She described the impact as catastrophic, specifically noting that it left Mary in a critically vulnerable condition.
Initially charged with assault, McCullough’s charges were later escalated to murder. He now faces additional charges, including felony second-degree kidnapping and domestic violence-related offenses.
As the jury contemplates the evidence presented, the community and families affected by the tragic events are left awaiting a resolution. Updates regarding the trial will be provided as deliberations progress.
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