Lorrin Freeman Coverage

Feds: Gun used in Raleigh murder bought by straw purchase at gun show

Federal court documents show the gun used in a deadly shooting in Raleigh was obtained in a so-called "straw purchase."

Gun used in deadly Raleigh shooting was purchased for someone else

Federal court documents show the gun used in a deadly shooting in Raleigh was obtained in a so-called "straw purchase."

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Hedingham shooting: Trial date set for September 2025 for accused teen shooter

A potential trial date has been scheduled for Sept. 22, 2025, for Austin Thompson, the teenager accused in Raleigh's Oct. 13, 2022, Hedingham mass shooting.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Two people, including 14-year-old, charged with murder after deadly shooting on Poole Road

Raleigh police say 20-year-old J'marree Andrel Smith was charged with murder. This comes after a 14-year-old was taken into custody and charged with murder on Wednesday.

Willie Daniely, WRAL reporter and Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Hedingham shooting: Stockpile of weapons found with accused teen shooter

The items seized include a shotgun, $772 in cash, multiple pistols, "projectiles," knives, rifles, rifle magazines, shell casings, ammunition rounds and bullets.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Editorial: Lt. Gov. Robinson needs to answer questions of campaign finance irregularities

Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 -- Campaign finance matters are more than concerns for political insiders. They are about the integrity of the candidates and their campaigns. All candidates should endeavor to establish unquestioned credentials.

'Buckle up and slow down' the message after spike in Wake County driving deaths

Wake County is leading the state in the number of fatal crashes. It's a growing trend causing deep heartache for families.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

State Auditor Beth Wood pleads guilty to using a state car for personal errands

State Auditor Beth Wood on Friday pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of using of public vehicle for private purposes.

By Jack Hagel and Chelsea Donovan, WRAL News

Raleigh mass shooting suspect will be tried as an adult, father cited

A judge ruled that Austin Thompson - who was 15 when, investigators say, he killed his brother and four others in Raleigh's Hedingham neighborhood - should be tried as an adult.

Raleigh mass shooting suspect will be tried as adult; father cited for firearms violation

A judge ruled that Austin Thompson - who was 15 when, investigators say, he killed his brother and four others in Raleigh's Hedingham neighborhood - should be tried as an adult.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Wake County DA gives update on Hedingham shooting

Nearly a year after a mass shooting in Raleigh, the suspected shooter, 15-year-old Austin Thompson, has not been charged as an adult. The Wake County District Attorney's office explained why it's taken so long.

Questions remain nearly a year after Raleigh mass shooting

Nearly a year after a mass shooting in Raleigh, the suspected shooter, 15-year-old Austin Thompson, has not been charged as an adult. The Wake County District Attorney's office explained why it's taken so long.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Wake DA again says no basis for criminal investigation into NC House Speaker Moore

State Rep. Terence Everitt, D-Wake Forest, had asked Freeman in a letter Tuesday to probe whether the Republican chamber leader should be charged with embezzlement, bribery or misconduct in public office.

Wake DA again declines to investigate allegations against House Speaker Tim Moore

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said there was no basis to act on a Democratic lawmaker's request to investigate the Republican House leader following an alienation-of-affection lawsuit.

Joseph Ochoa, WRAL multiplatform producer, and Jack Hagel, WRAL state government editor

Wake County seeing backlog of murder trials, increasing number of homicides

Wake County has a backlog of murder trials, and there are more homicides than ever, according to data provided by the city of Raleigh and county.

Wake County DA sifts through backlog of murder trials, increasing number of homicides

Wake County has a backlog of murder trials, and there are more homicides than ever, according to data provided by the city of Raleigh and county.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Appeals court blocks enforcement of law in Stein campaign ad case

A federal appeals court has blocked enforcement of an elections law at the center of an investigation targeting Attorney General Josh Stein.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

Cooper: Investigation of AG Stein is 'unprecedented repression of free speech'

Gov. Roy Cooper issued a statement Tuesday slamming an investigation into the campaign of Attorney General Josh Stein, which the Wake County District Attorney's office is investigating over allegations that it broke a 90-year-old election law barring candidates from circulating false and derogatory information about each other.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

Case over ad for AG Josh Stein advances after review by Wake grand jury

A grand jury in Wake County moved to advance a case over an 2020 campaign ad for the state's attorney general, Josh Stein. While nobody has been charged, the move leaves open the possibility that the attorney general or members of his campaign could still be indicted.

By Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

Wake DA's investigation into AG Josh Stein's campaign ad, explained

The Wake County District Attorney's office, run by a Democrat, is considering a misdemeanor charge against the state's Democratic attorney general, who may be her party's best chance at winning the gubernatorial race in 2024.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

Wake DA responds to report over handling of alleged sexual assault complaint

Wake County's District Attorney Lorrin Freeman is responding to a report that raises questions over her handling of a sexual assault accusation involving her own prosecutors.

Report: Wake DA didn't launch investigation into alleged sexual assault involving two of her prosecutors

Wake County's District Attorney Lorrin Freeman is responding to a report that raises questions over her handling of a sexual assault accusation involving her own prosecutors.

Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter

Judge: No conflict of interest yet. Former deputy's trial will go on

Despite claims of prosecutor conflict, the trial against a former Granville County sheriff's deputy will go on. It's a corruption case that the WRAL Investigates team has covered<a href="https://www.wral.com/questions-about-granville-drug-unit-operations-date-back-years/18738461/"> since 2019 involving dozens of charges and multiple defendants</a>, including the former sheriff.

Cullen Browder, WRAL reporter

Former Granville deputy claims DAs' text messages conflict of interest in corruption investigation

A former Granville County deputy facing corruption charges wants the case charges dropped over what he considers a conflict of interest.

Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter

Wake DA thanks Monica for keeping community safe

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman shared this message of thanks to Monica Laliberte.