Bio

Bobby Lee Harris was born on January 29, 1966. Court and clemency records described Harris as a man who grew up in a troubled and unstable home environment. His defense later presented evidence that he experienced physical and emotional abuse during childhood and developed alcohol and drug problems at a young age.

Records from later legal proceedings also stated that Harris had a low IQ, reportedly in the low 70s, and that he had struggled with substance abuse for many years. Before the murder, he had been hospitalized for drug and alcohol issues and had been placed under outpatient treatment.

At the time of the crime, Harris was 25 years old and worked for John Redd in Redd’s commercial fishing business. Another employee, Joseph Simpson, was also involved in the events that led to Redd’s death.

Murder Story

On August 20, 1991, Bobby Lee Harris and Joseph Simpson were with their employer, John Redd, aboard or near a fishing boat in Onslow County, North Carolina. According to trial testimony, Harris and Simpson had discussed robbing Redd because they wanted money and transportation to leave North Carolina and go to Georgia. They were reportedly trying to avoid legal problems in the state.

The plan was originally to tie Redd up and rob him. However, the situation turned violent after the men had been drinking. Harris took Redd’s knife and stabbed him three times in the back. After the stabbing, Harris and Simpson took Redd’s wallet and keys. Redd reportedly pleaded, “Don’t kill me,” and Harris responded, “I’m not going to kill you.”

Harris later claimed that Redd was taken to shore, made comfortable, and told that help would be sent. However, the North Carolina Supreme Court later stated that the evidence showed Redd had been thrown or left in the water and managed to reach shore on his own before bleeding to death.

Redd was found about ten hours after the stabbing. He was still alive and was able to speak to authorities before he died. He later died from his wounds. After the crime, Harris and Simpson entered Redd’s home and stole firearms, beer, and other property before leaving for Georgia. When Harris learned that Redd had died, he turned himself in and gave a full confession.

Harris was convicted of first-degree murder on July 29, 1992. He also received additional prison terms for robbery with a dangerous weapon, second-degree burglary, larceny of firearms, and auto larceny.

In 1992, he was sentenced to death. His execution was scheduled for January 19, 2001, but it was stayed shortly before it was to be carried out. On October 22, 2001, Judge Wade Barber vacated Harris’ death sentence while allowing the murder conviction to stand. On April 8, 2003, Harris was resentenced to life imprisonment. Bobby Lee Harris remains imprisoned under his life sentence.