Wake County District Attorney's Office Coverage

Wake DA: Wait times to test rape kits 'unacceptable;' suspect in 1990 rape arrested Saturday

The fact that it took 30 years to arrest someone for the rape of a 73-year-old woman is another example, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman says, that test delays for rape kits are "unacceptable."

Joe Fisher, WRAL reporter

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

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 faces political newcomer in May 17 primary

Incumbent Lorrin Freeman, a Democrat first elected as Wake County District Attorney in 2014, is seeking a third term and faces defense attorney and political newcomer Damon Chetson in the May 17 primary.

Joe Fisher, WRAL reporter

Weed arrests, death penalty figure in race for Wake DA

Lorrin Freeman and defense attorney Damon Chetson are vying to be the top prosecutor in the state's largest county.

Some Wake County parents want charges filed over library books

As for the district, they are aware of the complaint and are currently reviewing it.

Raleigh unrest led to 160 arrests. Most will see charges dropped

In the wake of Kyle Rittenhouse's acquittal, WRAL's Dan Haggerty asked where cases stand for those arrested during unrest in Raleigh during the summer of 2020.

Wake prosecutor charged with impersonating deputy resigns

A Wake County prosecutor resigned on Friday shortly before he was charged with impersonating a deputy on New Year's Day.

Amanda Lamb, WRAL reporter

Wake prosecutor on leave after allegation he impersonated police officer

A Wake County prosecutor has been put on administrative leave while authorities investigate an allegation that he impersonated a Raleigh police officer on New Year's Day.

Amanda Lamb, WRAL reporter

DA: Raleigh officer who shot, killed man had right to defend himself

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said Thursday that a Raleigh police officer was justified in shooting and killing a mentally disabled man who ran from the officer last winter but then pulled out a gun.

Family says justice system has failed Kyron Hinton

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said Tuesday that investigators haven't found enough evidence to prosecute anyone for murder in the death of Kyron Hinton last year.

DA: Insufficient evidence to pursue murder charge in Kyron Hinton's death

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said Tuesday that investigators haven't found enough evidence to prosecute anyone for murder in the death of Kyron Hinton last year.

Amanda Lamb, WRAL reporter, & Lena Tillett, WRAL anchor/reporter

Wake County home searched in connection with woman found dead in Virginia

Authorities are searching the home of a Wake County man who is suspected of murdering his girlfriend and hiding her body in Virginia.

Amanda Lamb, WRAL reporter

Former Orange County, Ravenscroft teacher faces new sex charges

Wake County authorities have filed new child sex charges against a former Orange County teacher in relation to alleged crimes dating from the mid-1980s.

Statutory rape charges against former Orange County Schools teacher dropped

The Wake County District Attorney confirmed to WRAL Friday night that charges have been dropped against a former Orange County teacher charged with sex crimes dating from the mid-1980s.

Wake DA says 'no room for error' after indicting wrong woman

Tuesday was a bad day for Tonya Britt Long - and for Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman.

'It can ruin people's lives,' says woman mistakenly charged in 9th District scandal

Tuesday was a bad day for Tonya Britt Long.

Adam Owens, WRAL anchor/reporter

Police investigating Kyron Hinton's death after medical examiner finds evidence of homicide

A medical examiner has determined that Kyron Hinton, the man whose beating by law enforcement last year cost four officers their jobs, died in February of cocaine toxicity and an injury that might indicate homicide, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said.

Amanda Lamb, WRAL reporter

Ongoing investigation into absentee ballot fraud could lead to more charges

McCrae Dowless, the Bladen County political operative who emerged as a central figure in the investigation into irregularities in the 9th Congressional District election last fall, was arrested Wednesday on a series of felonies primarily related to his handling of absentee ballots in the 2016 general election and the 2018 primary.

DA: Indictments sealed for safety, integrity

Wake County District Attorney said indictments against McCrae Dowless were sealed for less than a day to protect investigators and the integrity of their probe into election fraud in Bladen County.

McCrae Dowless, central figure in 9th District election probe, indicted

McCrae Dowless, the Bladen County political operative who emerged as a central figure in the investigation into irregularities in the 9th Congressional District, was arrested Wednesday on a series of felonies primarily related to his handling of absentee ballots in the 2016 general election and 2018 primary.

Tyler Dukes, Travis Fain, Laura Leslie & Adam Owens, WRAL reporters

3 search warrants demand financial, phone records in 9th District probe

Investigators with the State Bureau of Investigation and the Wake County District Attorney's Office have issued three sealed search warrants seeking information related to McCrae Dowless, the man at the center of a election fraud probe that just last week prompted a new race for North Carolina's 9th Congressional District.

Tyler Dukes, WRAL investigative reporter

Wake DA: No immunity deals for 9th District hearings

None of the witnesses in this week's 9th Congressional District hearings has immunity deals in a parallel criminal investigation, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said Tuesday.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter