NC Prosecutor Explains How Innocent Men Were Jailed for Murder

This Source Verification Page documents a supplemental news article published by WFMY News 2 concerning Buncombe County officials' public response to scrutiny surrounding the Mary Elizabeth Judd investigation. The article reports on District Attorney Ron Moore's review of the case and his submission of an eleven-page letter defending the actions of the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office and Buncombe County District Attorney's Office. It also discusses public concerns raised following the recantation of witness Lynette Smith and the incarceration of John Collins and David Hammack. The source is included as supplemental documentation providing additional context regarding investigative practices, witness reliability, and official responses to allegations of misconduct in Buncombe County, North Carolina.

Related SMAR Citation

“[Asheville Citizen Times]”

Source Name

NC Prosecutor Explains How Innocent Men Were Jailed for Murder

Author(s)

WFMY Staff

Publication

WFMY News 2

Publication Date

December 2, 2003

Verification Source

NC Prosecutor Explains How Innocent Men Were Jailed for Murder

Source Location

WFMY News 2

Highlighted Pages

1 - 2

Referenced in the Supplemental Motion

Pages 28–29, Paragraph 50

Source Status

✔ Article obtained and reviewed.

✔ Relevant passages highlighted.

✔ Publicly available source.

✔ Included within the Source Verification Archive.

Cited to Support

Lyle C. May alleges that following public scrutiny of the Mary Elizabeth Judd investigation and the recantation of key witness Lynette Smith, Buncombe County officials were required to defend the conduct of the investigation and prosecution. The WFMY News 2 article is cited to document reporting that District Attorney Ron Moore reviewed the case and submitted an eleven-page letter to North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper defending the actions of the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office and Buncombe County District Attorney's Office. The article further reports Moore's position that Sheriff Bobby Medford committed no wrongdoing and discusses explanations offered for the lengthy incarceration of John Collins and David Hammack. May relies upon this source to support his allegation that concerns regarding the handling of the Judd investigation generated significant public scrutiny and prompted official efforts to defend the conduct of law enforcement officers and prosecutors involved in the case. May further cites this reporting to document the broader controversy surrounding investigative practices, witness testimony, and prosecutorial decision-making in Buncombe County criminal cases.

Supporting Documents

Original Article

Link to the original article.

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Highlighted Research Copy

Working research copy containing the highlighted passages cited in the Supplemental Motion.

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