Two men charged with killing Jeffrey Hill in a downtown Kinston parking lot nearly three years ago have received a plea deal. Clinton Christmas and Joseph Hughes plead guilty to lesser charges, were credited with time served, and released.

Christmas plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to a minimum of one year and nine months in prison. With 692 days credited, Christmas has served his time.

Hughes plead guilty to obstructing justice, and was sentenced to eight months. He was credited with 1,062 days in jail, so Hughes has served his time as well.

On May 2, 2021, Kinston Police Department found Jeffery Hill lying on the ground of a parking lot in downtown Kinston with injuries to his head and face. He was taken to UNC Lenoir and then transferred to Vidant Medical Center. Hill died a week later due to his injuries. Hughes and Christmas were indicted by a grand jury for first degree murder.