Home Depot death: Terry McMillian Jr accepts plea deal for killing Gary Rasor by shoving him in North Carolina store
Share this @internewscast.com

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — The murder trial of Terry McMillian Jr., accused of causing the death of a Home Depot employee named Gary Rasor in North Carolina in October 2022, has concluded following a plea agreement.

McMillian admitted guilt to voluntary manslaughter and common law robbery, leading to a sentence ranging from 97 to 129 months. The robbery charge was merged with the manslaughter charge. He has been detained since early 2023, having already served part of his time.

Voluntary manslaughter was not one of the charges jurors were given as an option during deliberations.

“Voluntary manslaughter, although not an option for the jury, represented a suitable and just resolution in this matter, one the defendant was ready to accept and one that the victim’s family endorsed,” expressed Jeff Nieman, the Orange County District Attorney overseeing the prosecution.

The deal was reached on Thursday morning as jury deliberations entered their second full day. That’s due to jurors getting the case late on Tuesday and then going home about an hour later.

Nieman said he first broached the idea of a plea with the Rasor family two years ago.

“This was a situation, I think, the Rasor family would say that they weren’t really comfortable with life without parole. But the way the law prescribes it, that was the punishment for first-degree murder. If someone commits a homicide in the commission of a dangerous felony, that makes it felony murder, and first-degree murder is the only option then. I think this is an emblem for why it’s important to have the ability for the parties to plea bargain, because if not, we force jurors, families, defendants into boxes, which aren’t always the best outcome.” said Nieman, referring to the penalty McMillian faced if convicted of first-degree murder.

McMillian answered questions from Special Superior Court Judge Clayton Somers as part of the reading of the plea deal agreement, but otherwise did not offer a statement of his own. On his behalf, his attorney Kellie Mannette said he had two children with two different women, and helped care for a third child, adding despite working a full-time job, he was struggling to support both households. She asserted he was taking a plea deal to get back to his children as soon as possible.

“This was a very tricky case for everybody involved,” said Mannette.

McMillian largely avoided eye contact with three members of the Rasor family who offered victim impact statements, part of a contingent that was in the courthouse throughout the trial.

Terry McMillian Jr. (Photo Credit: Raleigh News and Observer)

Terry McMillian Jr. (Photo Credit: Raleigh News and Observer)

“I’ve had a lot of cases in 20 years working in the DA’s office, so I’ve had interaction with a lot of victims and it’s been mostly positive. But I don’t know if I can think of anybody who has been as thoughtful, caring and understanding as the Rasor family,” said Nieman.

“You heard a lot about my dad and how he stepped up. He was a good father, and we all miss him. One of the best things about him is his forgiving quality,” said Jeffrey Rasor, Gary’s son, during his victim impact statement.

Rasor’s forgiving nature was a common theme throughout the victim impact statements and Nieman’s address.

“Our sincere hope, and my father’s sincere hope would be that Mr. McMIllian uses this time if there’s any way possible, rehabilitate, reskill, whatever is available in that time, that he may come out and be a productive citizen of this country and re-engage with his family,” Jeffrey Rasor added.

Gary Rasor with family (Photo Credit: Jeff Rasor)

Gary Rasor with family (Photo Credit: Jeff Rasor)

ABC11 News spoke off-camera to two jurors after they were dismissed to learn more about their deliberations. While they did not share specifics, they said they were close to a verdict when the plea deal was reached.

“My hope would be that when everyone leaves here today, and Mr. McMillian thinks about things as well, is that something good could possibly come out of this, in memory and honor of Mr. Rasor. Because what I’ve seen and heard, that’s what he would want,” said Somers.

Case History

Investigators said on October 18, 2022, Rasor tried to interact with a customer who was suspected of trying to steal equipment from the Hillsborough Home Depot store.

The Hillsborough Police Department says the customer, later identified as McMillian, shoved Rasor, causing him to fall. The incident was caught on store surveillance camera. Rasor was hospitalized for injuries received during the incident.

Rasor, who was 82 years old at the time, initially appeared to progress in his recovery, ultimately being moved to a rehabilitation facility. However, his condition ultimately worsened, and he returned to the hospital in November 2022, where he died at 83 years old, his family said.

Gary Rasor (Photo Credit: Family)

Gary Rasor (Photo Credit: Family)

After his arrest months later, McMillian was charged with first-degree murder and robbery.

He remained in jail until his trial in May 2025.

Copyright © 2025 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Boeing settles with Paul Njoroge, man whose wife, 3 children died in 737 Max crash in Ethiopia in 2019, averting trial in Chicago

Boeing Reaches Settlement with Paul Njoroge, Man Who Lost Family in 2019 Ethiopian 737 Max Crash, Avoids Chicago Trial

Boeing has reached a settlement with a Canadian man named Paul Njoroge,…
Soldier walking past Patriot air defense systems at a military hub.

Russia Claims Trump is ‘Backing Terrorists’ Following US Decision to Send Weapons and Patriots to Ukraine Through NATO

RUSSIA has lashed out at Donald Trump after the US president agreed…
DHS arrests five illegal immigrants convicted of serious crimes, including murder and child abuse

DHS captures five undocumented individuals previously found guilty of severe offenses such as murder and child abuse

On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security reported the detention of five…
Livvy Dunne was her own celebrity look-alike at Twins-Pirates game

Livvy Dunne Stuns as Her Own Doppelgänger at Twins-Pirates Match

Livvy Dunne was in Minnesota to watch Paul Skenes and ended up…
Texas deadly floods: Victims from the Houston area

Houston Area Casualties in Devastating Texas Floods

Early in the morning on July 4, a catastrophic flood in the…

‘Police Chief Father Abused Me for Over a Decade in Disturbing Cult That Traumatized Me as a Child’

THE daughter of a police chief claims her dad raped her for…
Union says farm worker died after ICE raid that uncovered underage laborers

Union Reports Farm Worker Dies After ICE Raid Revealing Child Labor

On Friday, union officials reported that a farmworker had died following injuries…
Drum Corps International: Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps preparing for home DCI performance at Benedictine University in Lisle

Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps Gears Up for DCI Show at Benedictine University in Lisle

LISLE, Ill. (WLS) — A local drum and bugle corps is making…
Andre Agassi snaps at commentator over celebrity Wimbledon questions

Andre Agassi Responds Firmly to Commentator’s Celebrity Wimbledon Inquiries

Andre Agassi is at Wimbledon to talk tennis, not to fawn over…
Waycross teens killed by lightning strike, city manager says

City Manager Reports Teen Deaths from Lightning Strike in Waycross

Waycross City Manager Ulysess Rayford said the two teens were fishing when…
South River, New Jersey police officers save 1-year-old choking child, body camera video shows

Heroic South River Police Officers Rescue Choking Toddler in Heart-Pounding Bodycam Footage

SOUTH RIVER, N.J. — Police officers in New Jersey jumped into action…
President Trump speaking to the press.

Trump Imposes 30% Tariffs on EU and Mexico; Trade Deal Hopes Diminish

DONALD Trump has announced the EU and Mexico are set to face…