A closer look at the arrest of Buncombe County assistant district attorney Hasty

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Here’s an anonymous Ashvegas reader’s thoughts on Friday night’s arrest of Rodney Hasty, an assistant district attorney in Buncombe County. I thought the note was worth highlighting:

Rodney was among three that Mike Easley was considering for the Superior Court judge position vacated at the end of last year by Ron Payne. The other contenders were Max Cogburn Jr. and Alan Thornburg. Max Cogburn, Jr. is Steve Cogburn’s brother, who is now our Clerk of Court. Alan Thornburg is the son of Lacy Thornburg, the Federal Judge and former Attorney General of North Carolina. I know that Rodney really wanted the job, despite the rumor swirling around the courthouse that Alan Thornburg was the choice. (My note here: Ron Payne is lobbying to be appointed U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.)

Late Monday, Easley’s appointment of Thornburg was announced. The swearing in occurred on Thursday afternoon at the courthouse. I saw Rodney there and, though keeping an upbeat face, he left quickly after the swearing in and remarks by Thornburg and did not stop to speak to anyone.

I am sure that he is disappointed and many of the lawyers around town are disappointed because Thornburg has very little, if any, trial experience and now he is a trial judge. The appointment appears nothing more than a political favor and setting Thornburg up to take his father’s job on the federal bench once Lacy retires. In terms of trial experience, Rodney is miles ahead of Thornburg.

I cannot help but think that recent events contributed to this incident. I have dealt with Rodney only a couple of times when I have represented criminal defendants. Each time he has been very kind to me and my clients. No matter how this incident is resolved, it is going to follow him.

Most certainly a prosecutor from the Attorney General’s office will appointed to handle the matter. Ron Moore’s office cannot ethically or politcally handle the matter. Since DWI’s are handled in District Court, a judge from outside our judicial district and likely outside of WNC will be appointed to handle the plea or trial.

We will hear a lot more on Monday, like when his first court date will be as well as who might be prosecuting the case and the judge presiding. I will keep you up to date on what I hear.