RALEIGH, NC – A North Carolina jury has reached a verdict against Christopher McCullough, convicting him of the first-degree murder of his mother, Mary McCullough, and related charges stemming from a brutal incident in 2023. The 75-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries days after the attack, which also left her husband severely beaten.

Deliberations wrapped up after several hours, resulting in a life sentence for McCullough without parole. The defendant was not found guilty on additional charges, including the attempted murder of his father, John McCullough, and theft.

Testimony during the trial painted a disturbing history of violence. John McCullough described his son as having exhibited uncontrollably violent behavior from a young age. The parents had taken various measures, including mental health interventions and a domestic violence injunction, to protect themselves. Despite these efforts, Christopher entered their home in August 2023, allegedly under the influence of drugs and suffering from sleep deprivation.

During the trial, Christopher claimed his visit was to request gas money from his parents. His father’s refusal reportedly triggered a violent outburst witnessed by Christopher’s young son. Christopher admitted to fighting his father but denied assaulting his mother, who was fragile and dependent on an oxygen tank.

The aftermath of the attack was witnessed in graphic detail by Raleigh police officers. They discovered the victims unconscious and surrounded by blood. Officer Phillip Merle recounted that Mary McCullough, though severely injured, managed to indicate her son was responsible before passing away days later in the hospital.

The trial also included testimony from the younger McCullough’s therapist, who described the traumatic impact on the now 6-year-old boy. He has been dealing with post-traumatic stress after witnessing the violence inflicted by his father on his grandparents.

Defense attorney Ricky Elmore argued Christopher did not intend to kill his mother, framing the attack as a reactionary response during a plea for help. Nonetheless, the prosecution maintained that the brutal nature of the crime belied any claim of accidental harm, especially towards the elderly woman.

In closing arguments, prosecutor Melanie Shekita emphasized the callous disregard shown by McCullough for his mother’s life, reinforcing to the jury the gravity of the crime. The jury’s verdict confirms the sufficiency of the evidence in McCullough’s conviction for the intentional murder of his mother.