RALEIGH — April 8, 1996, 5:49 p.m. EDT Closing arguments were heard Monday in the sentencing phase of Elmer Ray McNeill's murder trial in Wake County Superior Court. McNeill was convicted last week -- and one of his brothers is also charged -- in the 1993 slaying of two Food Lion grocery store employees. The brother -- Robert -- will be tried in the fall.

The jury of eight men and four women also found Elmer Ray McNeill guilty of armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. They are weighing the sentences for all the convictions.

Raleigh police discovered the bodies of Michael Truelove, 20, and John Ray, 27, at the store 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.

McNeill could get the death penalty or life in prison