Raleigh, N.C. — A North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper who was dismissed from his position will appeal the decision, he said through his attorney’s office Friday.
Scott Harrison, whose professionalism in a series of traffic arrests had been questioned in recent months after accusations that he profiled young women for late-night traffic stops, was dismissed from his duties at 4 p.m. Friday, patrol spokesman Lt. Everett Clendenin said.
After a judge ruled on Aug. 8 that Harrison was "unworthy of belief" in a drunken-driving case involving a female defendant, Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby dismissed dozen of cases, 28 drunken-driving, brought by the trooper.
Willoughby said Harrison's credibility was a key factor in prosecuting the cases, and without his testimony, prosecutors couldn't adequately do it.
Charges against another 20 to 30 defendants could be dropped in early September, he said.
Harrison, 31, who was with the Highway Patrol since 2002, was known for taking a tough stance on drunken driving, but his credibility was called into question in March by defense attorneys Bill Young and James Crouch.
Young cited concerns from female clients about "flirtatious" comments Harrison allegedly made to them. Crouch accused him of assaulting a handcuffed Holly Springs man in the processing area of the Wake County Jail.
Harrison has adamantly denied those claims.
The Highway Patrol placed Harrison on administrative duty in March while administrators conducted an internal investigation into the allegations.
Clendenin had no further comment about the case Friday.
Fired Trooper to Appeal His Dismissal
Copyright 2008 by WRAL.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
-
- Murder charge filed in death of Raleigh toddler
Updated 47 minutes ago - Woman, hit by bus in Chapel Hill, dies
Updated at 8:53 p.m. |
- Rocky Mount: No 'credible evidence' for ex-police cadet's claims
Updated at 9:24 p.m. |
- E-mail panel proposes longer storage, better training
Updated at 9:34 p.m. |
- State: Ailing Falls Lake needs assistance
Updated at 9:55 p.m. |
- Murder charge filed in death of Raleigh toddler
- Most Viewed Slideshows
- Do My Job: Being a mom to multiples
May. 14, 2008 - Pet Photos | May 12 - May 18, 2008
Updated at 9:54 a.m. - Sights from Jenna Bush's wedding
May. 13, 2008
- Do My Job: Being a mom to multiples
STORIES
VIDEOS
SLIDESHOWS
hot topics
(17 votes) edwards makes his choice: obama
(11 votes) woman, hit by bus in chapel hill, dies
(7 votes) benson woman's home overrun by rodents
Multimedia
-
North Carolina lake levelsFind out current lake levels and water-use restrictions in your community.
-
Tassel-turning time again: Thousands graduate in TriangleArea colleges handed out thousands of degrees to graduates this weekend.
-
Campaign Trail Photos of the WeekView photos from the past week on the campaign trail from AP photographers around the country.
-
Merlefest 2008Every year thousands from around the country and beyond make their way to Wilkesboro, N.C. for down home bluegrass and family fun.
-
Obama party at Reynolds ColiseumObama supporters came out to Reynolds Coliseum to celebrate the senator's win in the N.C. primary election.



