As then-District Attorney Greg Newman was being removed from office, one of the cases discussed at length during his hearing was before the state Supreme Court.
No decision was made as the state argued that Newman was simply doing his job in trying to hold a man accountable for his actions, and the defense said that the state already tried the defendant and is now trying to make up for a mistake in litigation.
Assistant Attorney General Joseph Hyde, representing the state, argued that Newman s actions were proper in his prosecution of Leonard Schalow on charges related to the near-fatal beating of his wife in 2014.
The voice of victims has been heard.
District Attorney Greg Newman has been removed from office in only the third case of its kind in North Carolina history.
Superior Court Judge Robert C. Ervin issued his order April 27, permanently removing the top criminal prosecutor for Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties from his elected office, finding Newman engaged in “willful misconduct in office” and “conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the office into disrepute,” under N.C. General Statute 7A-66.
The decision was made nearly two weeks after a three-day removal hearing April 12-14 in Henderson County Superior Court.
In a 30-page order filed with the Henderson County Clerk of Superior Court, Judge Robert C. Ervin of Burke County spelled out 378 points from the inquiry and concluded that Newman’s action warranted his removal under a state law governing a complaint filed with the Clerk of Superior Court to oust an elected prosecutor for misconduct.
“Based on the foregoing finding of fact and conclusions of law, it is hereby ordered, adjudged and decreed that Gregory A. Newman is hereby permanently removed from office as district attorney and his salary shall be terminated as of the date of the filing of this order,” Ervin wrote.
In a 30-page order scheduled to be filed in Henderson County today, Judge Robert C. Ervin of Burke County spelled out 378 points from the inquiry and concluded that Newman s action warranted his removal under a state law governing a complaint filed with the Clerk of Superior Court to oust an elected prosecutor for midconduct. Based on the foregoing finding of fact and conclusions of law, it is hereby ordered, adjudged and decreed that Gregory A. Newman is hereby permanently removed from office as district attorney and his salary shall be terminated as of the date of the filing of this order, Ervin wrote.
Henderson County (Apr 13, 2021) - A parade of witnesses attested to the character and integrity of District Attorney Greg Newman during the second day of a hearing to determine whether the prosecutor remains in office.