A federal magistrate ruled Friday that there is probable cause in the public corruption case against Davidson County Judge Casey Moreland, sending the case to the grand jury.
Moreland resigned a short time later, and U.S. Magistrate Joe Brown ruled that he could be released from jail.
The 59-year-old judge was brought into court wearing a prison outfit and shackles, as he listened to an FBI special agent testifying against him.
Moreland was taken into custoday earlier in the week on charges of obstruction of justice.
Prosecutors presented audio and video tapes as evidence against Moreland. They said the witness bribery and drug-planting scheme Moreland was accused of orchestrating was a “shocking” attempt to “pervert justice.”
Court went into a brief recess while the federal judge determined whether or not to release Moreland on bond.
Judge Casey Moreland wore prison outfit and shackles as he listened to FBI agent testify against him. #NC5 pic.twitter.com/i74TmySawU
— Ben Hall (@NC5_BenHall) March 31, 2017
His decision to resign came after several lawmakers called for him to step down.
Moreland's resignation letter to Mayor Megan Barry expressed his regret in his "non-revocable resignation.," saying it was the "right and honorable thing to do."
In the letter, he stated:
"I have always been proud to serve the citizens and residents of Davidson County and to work with the many fine judges that have and continue to serve on the bench. My life's greatest honor has been to create and work with the administrators and participants of the General Sessions Drug Court and the Cherished Hearts Court. It is my sincere hope that you will continue to support these Treatment Courts and the participants and continue my intended legacy of changing lives for the better."
Related stories and documents:
NC5 Investigates: Disorder in the Court
