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A Scotland Neck man was found guilty and sentenced to life without parole in a 2016 murder which occurred in the Baker’s School Road area.

District Attorney Valerie M. Asbell said Dontrail Lloyd was also found guilty Thursday of felony breaking and entering and injury to real property for which Superior Court Judge Eula Reid sentenced him to eight to 19 months, which was consolidated with the life without parole judgement.

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The Halifax County Sheriff's Office reported at the time of the murder — March 11 of 2016 — Lloyd was identified as the suspect in the fatal shooting of Jemar Battle of Rocky Mount, who was 36 at the time of his death.

The murder charge stemmed from a shooting around 5 the morning of the crime. 

Following the shooting, Lloyd fled through an open field which led to River Road where he broke into a house where the owner fired at him.

Lloyd, now 32, was taken into custody by deputies at that scene.

“Assistant District Attorneys Keith Werner and Roger Echols did an excellent job preparing these cases for trial and presenting evidence to the jury,” Asbell said in a statement. “They were assisted by Legal Assistant Iris Williams. I want to thank the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office who worked diligently and professionally during the investigation and prosecution of this case. I also want to thank the jury for their patience during the jury process.”

The case was called for trial August 9 and the state presented its evidence on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. 

Jamal Summey, who represented Lloyd, presented his evidence on Wednesday.

The court heard closing arguments Thursday morning. The jury began deliberations after lunch and returned a guilty verdict of first-degree murder shortly before 3:30 p.m.

Said Asbell: “Our sympathies and condolences continue to be with the family of Jemar Jerel Battle. We have worked closely with the family since the murder of Mr. Battle to achieve justice in these cases. I hope that the family will be able to have some closure now and we will continue to pray for Mr. Battle’s family during the healing process.”