Saturday, November 15, 2008
NC sheriff steps down before rape trial begins
COLUMBUS, N.C. (AP) -- A North Carolina sheriff charged with raping two young girls more than 20 years ago is stepping down as his trial is set to begin.
Polk County Sheriff Chris Abril says in a letter this week that the turmoil surrounding the trial that begins Monday has taken away too much time from his job and family.
Abril was elected sheriff in 2006 despite the charges being revealed in the middle of the race in the small county in the southern Appalachian foothills.
He faces five counts of first-degree statutory rape and one count of first-degree sexual offense. He is accused of assaulting a 10-year-old girl and a 12-year-old girl when he was in his late 20s.
Abril has denied the allegations, claiming they were politically motivated.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
