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County officials petition judge to remove Lincoln Co. Sheriff

LINCOLNTON, NC (WBTV) - Lincoln County Attorney Jeff Taylor filed a petition late Monday afternoon to have the Lincoln County Sheriff suspended immediately after allegations he allowed a drunk driver to be released.

Read the petition

The petition requests a judge to immediately suspend Sheriff Tim Daugherty, and after a hearing, remove the Sheriff from office permanently.

The document includes brief findings from recent SBI investigations, as well as court transcripts from the September trial of Chief Deputy Barry Taylor. Taylor has been convicted of interfering in the arrest of a personal friend on suspicion of DWI.

The petition states Daugherty lied to SBI investigators about his knowledge of the case.  The petition says Daugherty told investigators at one point he only knew about the arrest the next day. However, Daugherty also testified he told Taylor to release the man, if it was the Deputy's opinion the man could drive.

A judge is expected to hear the petition as soon as he's done with a murder trial which is going on right now.

Daugherty's attorney will have the chance to respond. Attempts to speak with the Sheriff and his attorney were not answered.

The possible removal of the Sheriff is the talk of Lincolnton. At two coffee shops, we found two different opinions.

Lydia Collier said the petition is an over-reaction. "I think he does a good job. He made a mistake," she said.

Long-time business owner Chafin Rhyne says the county is just following due process. "There's no anger.  There is somewhat disappointment," he said.