Prosecutors Dismiss Charges Against Lincoln Co. Sheriff

Prosecutors have dismissed charges against the Lincoln County sheriff who was accused of being involved in sidetracking an impaired driving arrest of a local doctor.

Sheriff Tim Daugherty was scheduled to go on trial Monday on two felony counts of obstruction of justice and a misdemeanor of making a false report to another officer.

The prosecution in the case asked for a continuance Monday morning, saying they got new evidence in the past few days.

The judge denied the motion. Prosecutors then said they would have to dismiss the charges.

The State Bureau of Investigation reported Daugherty gave conflicting statements and evidence about learning his former chief deputy helped a local doctor avoid a DWI charge in 2007.

Prosecutors said Monday they are now questioning whether the sheriff wrote and signed a statement that said he instructed the deputy to release the doctor. Also, they said the former chief deputy has agreed to testify that the sheriff knew nothing about the case the night it happened.

The former chief deputy was convicted of misdemeanor obstruction of justice and fired.

Daugherty is a first-term Democrat who says the charges are politically motivated. The all-Republican county commission wants to have Daugherty removed.

Daugherty went back to work after the hearing.

Prosecutors said they haven’t given up on the idea of charges against the sheriff.

“I want to get to the truth of this case,” said prosecutor Gwynn Radeker.

Previous Stories: December 9, 2009: Lincoln Co. Sheriff Faces New Accusations November 20, 2009: Judge Denies Request To Suspend Lincoln Co. Sheriff November 10, 2009: Commissioners File Petition To Remove Lincoln Co. Sheriff From Office October 15, 2009: Commission Votes To Remove Sheriff From Office October 13, 2009: Lincoln Sheriff Denies Charges, Refuses To Step Down October 12, 2009: Lincoln Co. Sheriff Indicted On Obstruction Of Justice Charges September 30, 2009: Lincoln Co. Chief Deputy Found Guilty Of Obstruction Of Justice September 29, 2009: Sheriff Under Fire During Lincoln Co. Deputy’s Trial September 28, 2009: Trial Begins For Lincoln Co. Deputy Accused Of Obstruction Of Justice September 15, 2009: Lincoln Co. Takes Control Of 911 Call Center August 7, 2009: Commissioners Ask Lincoln Sheriff To Resign; Department Responds July 17, 2009: Lincoln County Sheriff Addresses Department Criticism July 14, 2009: Lincoln County DA Calls Sheriff's Office Actions Foolish