Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

Login Options

2:08 a.m. • 2-12-12

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Today: Clear.
    • Hi: 41° F
  • Mon: Mostly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 50° F
  • Tue: Light Rain.
    • Hi: 53° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Marketplace Links

Social Links

Main Menu

Maready Convicted Of Second-Degree Murder, Other Counts


e-mail print friendly

A jury found Kenneth Maready guilty on multiple counts, including second-degree murder, in connection with a drunk-driving crash that killed a Durham woman.

"We, the 12 members of the jury, unanimously find the defendant to be guilty of second degree murder," the clerk read just after 3:30 p.m. Friday. The jury reached this decision after nearly five hours of deliberations.

As the word "guilty" was read in the courtroom Friday afternoon, Kenneth Maready stood next to his attorney, staring straight ahead, showing very little emotion. He could spend the next 20 years of his life in prison for the death of Kay Stokes.

Maready was driving drunk in a stolen car when he crashed into the Durham woman's pickup in February of 2005. For Stokes' family, Friday's verdict is the decision they have been waiting for for more than a year.

"It's been an emotional roller coaster," Marcy Stokes-Henley said about life without her mother. "Nothing will bring Momma back."

On the day of the crash, investigators said Maready's blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit.

"I feel sorry for him," Stokes-Henley said.

The case has highlighted the difficulty of keeping determined drunk drivers off the road. Before that February afternoon, Maready already had a 108 page criminal history, including 9 previous DWI convictions.

Because the jury did not reach their decision until late Friday afternoon, Maready will not be sentenced until Monday.

RELATED TOPICS: Durham

e-mail print friendly

0 Comments


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

View Comments 0 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

View Comments 0 COMMENTS
Report It

Multimedia

Click Here