BROOKFORD, N.C. — Brookford Police Chief Willie Armstrong says he’s thankful for the support of the community after a judge dismissed charges against him in connection with a 30-year-old cold case murder.
Armstrong is back on the job with the Brookford Police Department, and he told Channel 9’s Dave Faherty that he won’t stop looking into the cold case murder of 13-year-old Dee Dee Dawkins.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Investigators probe police chief’s alleged secret recording of man linked to cold case murder
- Brookford police chief indicted, accused of destroying evidence in 1992 cold case
- Jury selection underway in trial of police chief accused of destroying evidence in cold case
- Trial begins for Brookford police chief accused of altering evidence in 1992 cold case
- Charges dismissed against police chief in connection with 30-year-old cold case
The mayor says Chief Armstrong can work here as long as he’s mayor. Armstrong was in his office Friday morning working in the town of Brookford.
On Thursday, the judge dismissed the charges against Armstrong for the felony of altering, destroying or stealing evidence, along with the misdemeanor of willful failure to discharge duties.
Both of the charges were in connection with the Brookford Police Department reopening the unsolved 1992 murder case.
DEE DEE DAWKINS COVERAGE:
- Police in Catawba County reopen 13-year-old girl’s 1992 murder case
- Family marks 30+ years since teen’s murder in Catawba County, hopes new banners spur tips
- Gov. Stein announces reward in 1992 cold case of murdered teen
- Critical evidence missing in 1992 cold case of 13-year-old girl
Prosecutors alleged that Armstrong went to the home of William Crooks to question him about the case but then the chief left his cell phone in the residence recording when he left.
His attorney told the jury that Chief Armstrong made a mistake, something he spoke with Channel 9 about Friday morning.
Armstrong told us each day this week that prosecutors offered him a plea to a lesser charge, but he says he refused.
Watch Channel 9 at 5:30 p.m. to hear from Armstrong about the trial, and the town’s mayor about how he’s supporting the chief.
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