North Carolina Man Sentenced to Death for 2021 Murder

Branson Raye Lambert convicted of first-degree murder and given death penalty for killing Dillion Zayne Wirt

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:54am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single spent bullet casing on a dark surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic without any text or symbols.A single spent bullet casing, a stark reminder of the violence that took Dillion Zayne Wirt's life and the ongoing debate over capital punishment in North Carolina.Today in Raleigh

A jury in Asheboro, North Carolina has convicted Branson Raye Lambert of first-degree murder and sentenced him to death for the 2021 killing of Dillion Zayne Wirt. Lambert was arrested in Virginia shortly after the crime and has now been ordered to be executed at the state penitentiary in Raleigh.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate around capital punishment in North Carolina, as the state continues to carry out executions despite nationwide trends toward abolishing the death penalty. The brutal nature of Wirt's murder has also sparked outrage in the local community.

The details

According to court documents, on February 7, 2021, police responded to a shooting on East Salisbury Street in Asheboro. Evidence and witness accounts led them to investigate the crime as a homicide, though no body was initially found. Police later recovered Wirt's body at a former rock quarry in Moore County. An autopsy confirmed he had been shot. Lambert was arrested the same day at a gas station in Virginia and charged with Wirt's murder.

  • On February 7, 2021, police responded to a shooting on East Salisbury Street in Asheboro.
  • On February 8, 2021, Wirt's body was recovered around 5 p.m. at a former rock quarry in Moore County.
  • On February 7, 2021, Lambert was arrested around 7 p.m. at a gas station in Virginia.

The players

Branson Raye Lambert

A resident of Asheboro, North Carolina who was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death for killing Dillion Zayne Wirt in 2021.

Dillion Zayne Wirt

A 23-year-old man from Asheboro, North Carolina who was the victim of the 2021 murder for which Branson Raye Lambert was convicted and sentenced to death.

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What’s next

Lambert will be taken to the state penitentiary in Raleigh, North Carolina where he will be executed by the state.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate around capital punishment in North Carolina, as the state continues to carry out executions despite nationwide trends toward abolishing the death penalty. The brutal nature of Wirt's murder has also sparked outrage in the local community, raising questions about public safety and the state's approach to violent crime.