RALEIGH — April 9, 1996, 3:40 p.m., DST

Elmer Ray McNeill has been sentenced to death in connection with the 1993 deaths of two Food Lion grocery store employees.

McNeill was convicted last week in Wake County Superior Court of murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. His brother, Robert, will be tried at a later date on similar charges for the same crime.

Raleigh police discovered the bodies of Michael Truelove, 20, and John Ray, 27, at the store on the night of September 19, 1993. Each had been shot twice in the back of the head. The men were closing up the store for the night when they were confronted.

The gun has never been found, nor have any witnesses been discovered.

The charges and trial have split the McNeill family, with another brother, Michael, testifying about what he said was an incriminating phone call from Elmer Ray five months after the slayings. The McNeill parents are siding with the accused sons.

Last Friday, McNeill's mother testified in the sentencing hearing, pleading for the jury to spare her son's life.

WRAL-TV 5 will have complete coverage of the sentencing and reactions from those involved this evening on First News At 5