2015/03/24

The News & Obsever March 20, 2015: State Bar punishes Johnston prosecutor

Paul Jackson mishandled rape case

The N.C. State Bar banned a Johnston County prosecutor from practicing law for a year but stayed the suspension and instead placed him on two years’ probation.

After a disciplinary hearing March 3, the bar found that Paul Jackson mishandled a 2011 rape case, and because of that, the defendant remained in jail for an additional four and a half months.

Specifically, Jackson failed to take notice when rape kit results became available, and he inaccurately told a judge that he had been in contact with the State Crime Lab. The defendant’s DNA did not match the sample in the rape kit.

The bar reduced Jackson’s punishment in part because of his remorse and cooperation, good reputation, lack of prior offenses and absence of a selfish motive. The bar also considered that the defendant, Elio De La Cruz, would have remained in custody anyway under a deportation order from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

During his probation, Jackson will have to pay the full costs of the disciplinary procedure, take extra continuing legal training and abide by state law and professional rules. more