RALEIGH — April 2, 1996 - 7:23 a.m. EST

A Wake County jury will begin deliberations this morning in the murder trial of Elmer Ray McNeill.

McNeill is charged in the 1993 execution-style slayings of Michael Truelove and John Ray at a North Raleigh Food Lion grocery store. The employees were closing up the store for the night when they were attacked and shot.

Neither the gun nor any witnesses have been uncovered.

Charged along with McNeill was his older brother, Robert. Robert McNeill's trial will be held later.

In closing arguments Monday, the prosecutors said Ray McNeill is guilty of murder regardless of who pulled the trigger. But McNeill's defense lawyer says Robert McNeill is the triggerman.

A third brother, Michael, implicated the brothers in the murder through a telephone call he had with Elmer Ray five months after the murders. Michael McNeill also testified that Elmer Ray may well be covering up for Robert.

The defense also contends that Michael McNeill is lying.

The Food Lion store where the slayings occurred is at the corner of Six Forks and Strickland Roads.

Elmer Ray McNeill faces the death penalty if convicted