Wilson police found Corey Clay, 34, dead inside his home on Tuesday, one day after he testified against Ed Lee Edwards III, in an attempted murder trial.
On Wednesday, police arrested Ed Edwards' brother, Terry Clay Edwards, 28, of Fayetteville, and charged him with Clay's murder.
Investigators said Clay and Terry Edwards were involved in an ongoing dispute.
Wilson police Sgt. Keith Pendergrass said problems between Edwards and Clay started long before the trial.
"It's not a random type thing. We certainly don't want the public to be horrified or terrified to testify," Pendergrass said.
Clay's sister, Lisa Batts, said she believes, at the very least, her brother's testimony further fueled tension between the cousins.
She said she still believes Clay did the right thing.
"I don't think anybody would be, or should be, afraid to testify on anything," Batts said.
Pendergrass said the case is still under investigation and would not say whether he thought Clay was attacked and murdered because of his testimony.
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
