ROCKINGHAM — A man sentenced to life in prison for murder more than three decades ago will be eligible for parole next week.
The North Carolina Post Release and Parole Commission announced Tuesday afternoon that Ray C. Strickland is set to be released on Sept. 4 through the Mutual Agreement Parole Program.
MAPP is a “scholastic and vocational program that is a three-way agreement between the Commission, the Division of Prisons and the offender,” according to a press release.
“The state’s current sentencing law, Structured Sentencing, eliminates parole for crimes committed on or after October 1, 1994,” the release states. “However, the Commission has the responsibility of paroling offenders who were sentenced under previous sentencing guidelines.”
Records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction show Strickland, now 67, was convicted of first-degree murder in Richmond County on July 18, 1990 for a homicide that happened on March 15 of that year.
(Editor’s Note: Due to the time the press release was sent, the RO was not able to research the case in question.)
Prior to the murder conviction, Strickland served more than five years in prison following a 1981 conviction of misdemeanor larceny and felony breaking and entering. Records appear to show Strickland was still serving that sentence when he was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in 1986.
The other three convictions are also listed as being in Richmond County.
Strickland has had five infractions while serving his current sentence:
- Barter, trade or loan money (2003)
- Disobeying an order (2004)
- Theft of property (2007)
- Using profane language (2011)
- Being in an unauthorized area (2011)
(Note: The last two infractions are listed with the same date.)
Records show Strickland was moved to Scotland Correctional Institution on May 9, 2023.
Anyone with questions concerning Strickland’s parole is encouraged to contact the Commission at 919-716–3010.
