In 2023, the Moore and Hoke County District Attorney’s Office closed 1,020 cases in Moore County Superior Court and 437 cases in Hoke County Superior Court, according to Moore and Hoke County District Attorney Mike Hardin.
In 2023, the Moore County office continued to utilize a provision created by the legislature to allow the disposal of low-level felonies in district court in order to alleviate these cases having to be heard in superior court. The Moore office closed 372 felonies in district court bringing the total qualifying closed felony cases in Moore County to 1,390.
The Moore and Hoke District Attorney’s Office tried 24 jury trials in superior court in 2023. In 2023, the office once again concentrated on cases of defendants held in custody. Below are a few notable cases disposed of in 2023:
*Devour Hodges was convicted of second-degree murder in Hoke County and received an active sentence of 12-15.42 years.
*Donny Sessums was convicted of second-degree murder in Hoke County and received an active sentence of 28.75-35.33 years.
*Jaymar Roudy was convicted of first-degree murder in Hoke County and received life in prison without parole.
*Keshandre McLean was convicted of second-degree murder in Hoke County and received 18.25-22.92 years.
*Kevin Vaughn was convicted of first-degree murder in Moore County and received life in prison without parole.
*Cody Davis was convicted of first-degree murder in Moore County and received life in prison without parole.
*Ashely Vinesett was convicted of second-degree murder in Moore County and received 16-20.25 years.
*John Ray was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and received an active sentence of 5.58-7.75 years.
*Elijah Frederick was convicted of second-degree murder in Moore County and received and active sentence of 10.33-13.42 years.
*Raheem Davis was convicted in Hoke County of three counts of statutory rape of a child by an adult and received an active sentence of 75-105 years.
*Aron Sutton was convicted in Moore County of attempted murder and was sentenced to 9-12 years active.
*Keishaun Brown was convicted in Moore County of statutory rape and was sentenced to 9-15.83 years active.
*Tyquan Graham was convicted in Moore County of possession of firearm by felon and several other charges and was sentenced to 5-9 years.
*Ray Cozart was convicted in Moore County of trafficking fentanyl and was sentenced to 5.83-7.75 years.
*Michael Pitts was convicted of attempted murder in Hoke County and was sentenced to 12-15.42 years active.
*Arnold Lockelear was convicted of two counts of trafficking opium or heroin in Hoke County and was sentenced to 5.83-7.75 years active.
*Daeshaun McGhee was convicted of felony death by motor vehicle in Hoke County and was sentenced to 8.92-13.50 years.
*George Green was convicted of first-degree statutory sex offense and related charges in Hoke County and was sentenced to 14-21.83 years active.
In the district courts of Moore County, 14,307 criminal misdemeanor cases were disposed of in 2023, not including infractions. In the district courts of Hoke County, 7,189 criminal misdemeanor cases were disposed of in 2023, not including infractions.
For the third year, the Moore County District Attorney’s Office held a special DWI court. The office identified 73 driving while impaired (DWI) cases pending in Moore County District Court with dates of offense from November 2022 or earlier. The office scheduled a special session of DWI court in Moore County District Court beginning Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, and ending Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.
Of these, 12 cases resulted in guilty verdicts in court prior to the special DWI week. One case resulted in a not-guilty verdict. One case was indicted as a felony. Four defendants had orders for arrest issued for failure to appear and are still unserved. One case was dismissed after a judge granted a defense motion to suppress. Seven of these cases could not be calendared for the week.
During the special DWI week, 47 cases were scheduled for trial, and 38 cases were closed as a result of the special session. After being calendared for trial, 34 cases resulted in guilty verdicts. Two cases resulted in not-guilty verdicts. One defendant did not appear for court resulting in an order for their arrest being issued. Two cases were dismissed. Eight cases were continued. Overall, the week ended with an 89% conviction rate.
Feature photo: Moore and Hoke County District Attorney Mike Hardin/Courtesy photo.
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