Roger Lee Locklear, a 65-year-old Native American man from Lumberton, North Carolina, died on September 10, 2015. His death was investigated as a murder.

The record in this case describes an earlier killing: on April 18, 2000, Herbert Locklear, 67, was found beaten to death in a room at the Ramada Limited Hotel on Capuano Road, now known as the Deluxe Inn. A hotel maid discovered Herbert’s body. Roger Locklear was tried for that killing; prosecutors relied on witness testimony and on statements Roger made, and they argued his initial police statement denying he was in the room was not credible. The defense said Roger admitted he lied and claimed he tried to leave when Herbert and two other men asked him for sex.

A jury convicted Roger Locklear of second-degree murder and felony larceny. He was sentenced to 15 to 19 years for the murder and an additional eight to ten months for the larceny charge.

Did anyone who knew Herbert or Roger have information about the night at the hotel or what led to the confrontation?