News and Press Releases from the DA's Office

Below you will find information about the latest pleas, trials, and important developments in Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties. As an office, we are bound by the Rules of Professional Conduct for all North Carolina attorneys, and special rules for prosecutors. Therefore, we often only comment on cases after final disposition.

For all media inquiries and requests, for all three counties, please contact Nathan Key by phone: 828-695-6193 or email: Nathan.D.Key@nccourts.org.


Granite Falls Man Sentenced in Hit-and-Run Killing

Kenneth Avery Davis, 37, of Granite Falls, pleaded guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter and felony hit and run serious injury/death for the October 2019 death of Marriah Kelly Warren during Caldwell County Superior Court on Monday, July 6, 2020. The … Read More

Hickory Man Sentenced in 2012 Stabbing Murder

A Hickory man could spend up to 17 years in prison following his conviction for second-degree murder during Catawba County Superior Court on Thursday, June 25, 2020. Monroe David Byrd. Jr., 54, was given an active prison term of 13 … Read More

Lady Justice Statue

DA Reilly Clears Deputy Involved in Fatal Shooting

A Caldwell County deputy involved in the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old man has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the District Attorney’s Office. Following a review of the investigative findings by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation of a shooting incident … Read More

Lady Justice Statue

DA Reilly Clears US Marshals in Deadly Standoff

The United States Marshals involved in the fatal shooting of a man following a standoff in Hudson have been deemed justified in their use of deadly force. Based on a review of the findings from an investigation by the North … Read More

County Approves DA’s Request for Veterans’ Court Grant Submission

On Monday April 20, 2020, District Attorney Scott Reilly appeared before the Catawba County Board of County Commissioners along with Tammy West, District Attorney Legal Assistant, and Jennifer Mace, Catawba County Budget and Management Director, regarding implementation of a Veterans’ Treatment Court in Catawba County. … Read More

Robbery and Assault Lands Defendant 8-12 Years

Ezra Harold Patton, 23, of Morganton, was given an active prison sentence of eight to 12 years following his conviction for multiple crimes during Burke County Superior Court on Monday, February 17, 2020. The Honorable Steve Warren, Superior Court Judge from Buncombe County, imposed the prison term for Patton after he pleaded … Read More