Man Convicted of Second-Degree Murder Sentenced to Minimum 18 Years in Prison

Asheville -- Press Release Buncombe County District Attorney's Office: The Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office announces that Eric Jeron Wilson, 36, of Candler, has been convicted as charged of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Jeremy Greer, 41, following an 8-day trial.

 The jury delivered its guilty verdict late yesterday afternoon in Buncombe County Superior Court. After the jury returned its findings, Superior Court Judge Steven Warren sentenced Wilson to serve 216-272 months in prison.

The shooting occurred on November 29, 2023, in the driveway of Wilson’s residence in Candler when Greer, a passenger in a vehicle with Wilson, was fatally shot in the chest. Evidence presented at trial showed that Greer was shot around 10:20 p.m. in Candler and succumbed to his injuries at Mission Hospital by 10:59 p.m. The investigation revealed that Wilson believed Greer was reaching for a gun in his backpack, prompting Wilson to shoot him with a 9mm Glock 17 pistol. No weapon was found in Greer’s possession during the search of his belongings.

Investigators determined that Wilson had driven to Boone and picked up Greer the day before the shooting, and Greer spent the night at Wilson’s house. According to witnesses, there was no altercation; the incident stemmed from a disagreement about where Wilson was going to drop Greer off. Wilson did give a statement to authorities and claimed self-defense, asserting that Greer, who had been acting normally, suddenly changed his behavior. Wilson stated he made the decision to shoot Greer after approximately 60 seconds of non-assaultive behavior because he thought Greer had a gun. However, no gun was ever found in Greer’s possession. Wilson remained at the scene and called 911 after the shooting.

Critical evidence recovered from the victim's phone, specifically communications with the defendant that the defendant attempted to delete from his own phone, allowed prosecutors to vigorously challenge defense witnesses' testimony at trial and impeach the defendant’s claim of self-defense.

Under North Carolina law, when a defendant claims self-defense, prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt both the elements of murder and that the killing was not done in self-defense.

The State was represented at trial by Assistant District Attorneys Austin Braxton and Katie Kurdys. District Attorney legal assistant Melissa Matthews provided support to prosecutors and witnesses at trial.

Assistant District Attorney Austin Braxton said, “I extend my sincere gratitude to the jury for their diligent and thoughtful consideration of all the evidence we presented at trial. My deepest sympathies remain with Jeremy Greer's family, and I wish them peace and healing in the days ahead.”

Wilson was arrested on November 30, 2023, and charged with second-degree murder.