Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Polk’s district attorney removed

POLK COUNTY—For only the third time in history, Polk County’s District Attorney was removed from office on Tuesday. 

Superior Court Judge Robert C. Ervin issued the order almost 2 weeks after testimony ended. 

Newman is the district attorney for Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties. 

The trial against Newman was held in Henderson County Superior Court April 12-14 after a petition was filed against Newman. The petition was filed to have Newman removed for his alleged pattern of chronic and unrepentant misconduct. The petition claimed that Newman had mishandled cases and failed to prosecute felonies. 

Ervin was the judge and jury in the case and made the decision. The trial included testimony both for and against Newman. 

Ervin’s order found that Newman engaged in willful misconduct in office and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, which brings the office into disrepute under North Carolina General Statute 7A-66. 

Newman was ordered to leave office immediately. He can appeal the order. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper can appoint a new district attorney. 

Newman was appointed as district attorney in 2013, then won the office uncontested in 2014 and 2018. He was up for re-election in 2022. He made $137,000 per year with that salary ceasing immediately. 

This is only the 3rd case of its kind in North Carolina history.