A Woodland man will serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole after a Northampton County jury Thursday found him guilty of first-degree murder in a 2017 home invasion.

Captain Patrick Jacobs of the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office said 28-year-old Eric Vaughan Jr. was also found guilty of second-degree kidnapping, first-degree burglary, and first-degree armed robbery in the break-in which claimed the life of Edward Phipps, a former Littleton resident who was living in Woodland at the time.

Vaughan also received a 44- to 65-month sentence for second-degree kidnapping, and 111- to 146-month sentences each for the burglary and armed robbery convictions.

The crime occurred on September 17 in Arrowhead Mobile Home Park in Woodland.

In October of last year 29-year-old Deshy Gatling of Ahoskie pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed robbery.

He was sentenced in superior court pursuant to his guilty plea which put him behind bars for a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 25 years.

District Attorney Kim G. Scott said, “It is with great thanks and appreciation that we acknowledge the efforts of the jurors of Northampton County in sitting together to hear the evidence and rendering a verdict in this case.”

She said, “It has taken far too long for the families in this case to begin to see some closure.  While grateful this part of the proceedings are concluded, the criminal portion of this ordeal is not over for the families. There are three remaining co-defendants (scheduled) to be tried in the months to come.”

Scott said the emotional strain placed on families enduring the trial process is one that cannot be understated. “These families have shown up for their loved ones over and over, and we would not have been successful in this process without their support.”  

Said Scott: “This was an absolutely senseless crime where everyone lost. Our team will continue to pray for the loved ones of Mr. Phipps and the living victims left to navigate this tragedy.”  

She was appreciative of the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation “for their tireless efforts in investigating this case” and to Assistant District Attorney Glenn Perry and Legal Assistant Kalen Smallwood “for their hard work, dedication, and efforts in prosecuting this case.” 

“The Northampton County Sheriff's Office would like to specially thank members of the sheriff's office that assisted with this investigation and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for their assistance in this original investigation,” Sheriff Jack Smith said. “We would like to thank the district attorney's office for an outstanding job with this case. We are thankful that the family members of the victim have justice on their side for the loss of their loved one and justice for the other victims in this case for the horrific events they experienced.”

The trial began this week and ended Thursday.