Jail makes copies of all mail from client, defense attorneys say

MORGANTON, N.C. — A high-profile triple murder case could be in jeopardy because attorneys for one of the suspects just told a judge Burke Catawba Detention Facility workers have been making copies of all his mail and sending it to police investigators.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Greydon Hansen in a shooting outside Croskey’s Pub and Grille. Three people died in Hickory after the shooting in April 2017.

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His attorneys were stunned when they learned about the copied mail.

“(The) Hickory Police Department asked the detention center in Morganton to intercept our client's mail,” said Lisa Dubs, defense attorney.

There was a folder filled with letters from Hansen Thursday at a court hearing.

Attorneys said the jail also copied mail from his codefendant, Dontray Cumberlander, who is also charged in the murders.

The Burke Catawba Detention Facility officials said they often check incoming mail for contraband but it is not their practice to open outgoing mail.

Bill Boughman, with Burke Catawba Detention Facility, said the Hickory Police Department requested the jail to make copies and forward it to them.

The judge allowed defense attorneys for both men to go through the copied mail. She also ordered the practice to stop immediately. Defense attorneys said they know at least one of the letters was addressed to them about the case.

“You got to have trust in the system that you can communicate with your client confidentially and that he can communicate with us, and the law is they can’t intercept those letters, and they did,” defense attorney Robert Campbell said.

The judge said there could be a hearing as early as next month so attorneys for both men can be in court.

The defense attorneys believe police have been getting their mail for close to a year.

Cox Media Group