District attorney asks for special prosecutor in Soles shooting case

Tabor City, N.C. — The district attorney investigating a shooting at the home of a state senator has asked a special prosecutor to take over the case because of his ties to the lawmaker.

Multiple media outlets reported Wednesday that District Attorney Rex Gore has asked the special prosecution unit of the state Attorney General's office to take full responsibility for the investigation into the shooting at state Sen. R.C. Soles' home last month.

Columbus County Sheriff Chris Batten said that Soles shot a former legal client, Kyle Blackburn, 22. A witness has said Blackburn was breaking into the senator's house and Soles acted in self-defense. Charges have not been filed.

Gore had been criticized because of his friendship and political ties with Soles.

The announcement came on the same day that a 17-year-old who said Soles helped him build a house and buy a Corvette was released from jail on $500,000 bond. Allen Strickland is accused of trying to elude police during a car chase last Sunday.

The State Bureau of Investigation has charged Strickland with setting the July 29 fire that burned the Tabor City home built with money from Soles.

Two weeks after the house fire, Soles became the subject of SBI investigation based on allegations from a 27-year-old man that Sole molested him more than a decade ago. Stacy Scott later recanted, saying he was under the influence of drugs when he made the allegations.

4 Comments

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Latest Comments

Who posted his bond? He is 80 plus years old and he shot a guy who was trying to break in his house. I certainly hope he wasn't charged with anything. If he was he wants me on the jury.

fisunt
September 3, 2009 4:18 p.m.

I see WRAL isn't going to post my first post, so here goes:

There is obviously something going on and it wouldn't surprise me if Mr. Rex Gore up and resigns. Something has been pushed under the rug here. Too much is coming out involving this Soles person.

Evidently the truth will be revealed and those involved.

mochabrown
September 3, 2009 11:52 a.m.

Maybe they could let one of the Easleys handle the upcoming case. They both have law degrees/worked in District Attorneys Office and probably could use some extra income these days.

FE
September 3, 2009 9:48 a.m.

hmmmm The plot thickens. I am sorry to say this but this guys (soles) gives me the creeps. I wonder also how many more guys he has helped that will come out of the woodwork before this is all said and done... I wonder who posted his bond?