Hickory Man Sent To Prison For Assault

63-year-old James Gray McAllister of Hickory has been found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. On Thursday, November 21, a Catawba County jury convicted McAllister at the end of a trial covering parts of four days in Superior Court. The jury deliberated for a little more than an hour.

The Honorable Matthew Osman, Superior Court Judge from Mecklenburg County, sentenced McAllister to an active prison term of 44-to-65 months. The defendant will serve his period of incarceration in custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections.

The trial began on November 18. Following evidence presentation by the state and the defense, including testimony from the defendant, both sides presented closing arguments on Thursday afternoon.

The offense occurred on October 21, 2023, and started over an altercation regarding the posting of a no trespassing sign. A short verbal dispute quickly turned physical when McAllister struck the male victim in the back of the head and across the face with a claw hammer.

Brittany Weaver investigated the case for the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant District Attorneys Jonathan Greer and Taylor Rockett handled the prosecution with aid from Legal Assistant Stacey London.

Story: Ralph Mangum-WHKY