Three people connected to the murder of an elderly man more than three years ago were convicted and sentenced for their roles in the death during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday.
Thomas Gregory Ball of Hickory, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the October 9, 2016, killing of 78-year-old Benny Daniels. His brother Rodney Adam Ball, of Virginia, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to murder.
Tabitha Lynn Harrison of Hickory, also was sentenced to a prison term of four to six years for her involvement after entering a guilty plea on September 16, 2019, to the offenses of accessory after the fact to murder and concealment of death.
Daniels’ body was found in a shallow grave covered in dirt and concrete not far from his house after family members reported him missing on October 10, 2016. An autopsy report showed that he died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head and upper body.
