Lee County Assistant DA Fired After Allegedly Plotting To Kill Wife

District Attorney Tom Locke issued a statement Friday, saying that Huggins will no longer work for the Lee County District Attorney's office.

"Bill Huggins prosecuted in this district for 15 years and he was a dedicated employee. Our entire staff is shocked and saddened by the arrest," Locke said.

Huggins appeared before a judge Friday where two attorneys from the state Attorney General's Office were brought in from Raleigh to handle the case for the state.

Prosecutors told the judge that Huggins had been talking with another woman, Melissa Davis, since December 2001 about killing his wife, Kathy. Prosecutors said Huggins gave Davis a gun from a murder case he prosecuted in 1996.

Prosecutors said in Huggins signed a statement, admitting to a relationship with Davis.

Defense lawyers denied the allegations, saying that Huggins was not serious about hiring Davis to kill his wife.

Huggins was released on bond Friday afternoon. The judge said Huggins was not to set foot in Lee County except for his court appearance. Huggins was also ordered to stay with his parents who live in Clayton.

The State Bureau of Investigation said its agents arrested Huggins around 8:15 p.m. Thursday.

Locke has also directed the SBI to take charge of the case.

Authorities say Davis has not been charged in this case, however, she was arrested Thursday in Moore County on unrelated charges.

Huggins has a probable cause hearing on Sept. 11.