DA removes himself from assault on a female case with Henderson Republican officials

Henderson County District Attorney Andrew Murray has removed himself as prosecutor in an assault case involving county Republican Party officials, saying he has a conflict of interest because of his relationships with the people involved.

Murray, a Republican, told the Citizen Times March 13 that he is acquainted with GOP Chair Brett Callaway who was charged with misdemeanor assault on a female as well as Hoopers Creek Republican Precinct Chair Kathy Maney who sought the criminal summons against him. Murray said he has interacted with them at regular party events, such as Republican Women's Club luncheons and the Republican Men's Club breakfasts.

"I conflicted myself out of the matter since I know both parties," Murray told the Citizen Times which had reached out to him about the case. "I have had no involvement in the case and will not have any involvement in this matter."

Murray said he put Assistant DA Lily Ferry in charge of prosecution. Senior Assistant DA Doug Mundy will be her supervisor and have final authority in the case, he said.

The Citizen Times reached out to Callaway and his attorney Jason Hayes of Hendersonville.

Maney told the Citizen Times that she was told to meet with two assistant DAs at 4 p.m. May 13 but was not sure what the meeting was about.

Callaway had a Henderson County District Court hearing May 8. His next hearing is June 12.

Maney, 68, said Callaway, 63 grabbed her hand forcefully as she was trying to take video of a conflict at what she described as a chaotic party convention.

The class A1 misdemeanor is the most serious of misdemeanors under state law and can carry a punishment of up to 150 days in jail.

He is the second county GOP chair in Western North Carolina to face the charge.

Last year, Buncombe GOP Chair Doug Brown was charged with assault on a female after Republican Buncombe County School Board member Amy Churchill said Brown slammed a door on her and pushed her at the county's GOP headquarters. Brown is set to appear July 8 in Buncombe County District Court.

While Buncombe is a predominantly Democratic county, Henderson is the Republican center for the west of the state and has produced the region's last two members of Congress.

It is not clear if either chair will face sanctions from their party. The Citizen Times left messages May 13 with the Henderson GOP headquarters and Henderson GOP Vice Chair Cyndy Wiley.

Maney wrote on social media and posted videos that she said showed heated conflict at the party convention over a new plan of organization rules. She has called for Callaway to step down.

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Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at [email protected], 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: DA removes himself from assault on a female case; Henderson GOP leader