Source: thesnaponline.com

An Oakboro man will spend at least the next 32 years of his life in prison after being convicted of first degree sexual offense with a child, stringing from events that occurred between April 19 and 20, 2008.
Thomas Lamont Jackson, 30, was arrested on March 19, 2009 by Oakboro Police Department after he allegedly had encounters with a 4-year-old female.

Today the paper ran the story about Faye Gathings’ trying to remove me from office.  This helped me talk to a lot of people about my residence.  I was quite amazed at the number of people who saw this for what it was.  I know why Faye did it, and I am still sorry that she lost her son, but I will not prosecute someone who is not guilty under the law.  When I learned last week that she was filing the challenge, I suspected I knew who put her up to it.  When I saw her affidavit, I knew a lawyer had drafted it; and I was even surer of who did it.  Then today, I had it confirmed when I learned that the day BEFORE, the newspaper article ran, the Sheriff had at least one of his detectives, in uniform, in my neighborhood interviewing my neighbors to “investigate where I lived.”  Well, I am not surprised, since I know he is running my opponent.

“Why does the Richmond Sheriff hate you so bad?” I have been asked this question more times than I can count.  I have kept my mouth shut for five years, but, when asked, I answer it.  It is about control.  It did not start with his “Kiss my A**” letter that has become famous.  It actually started well before that.  It started in March of 2005.  The Rockingham Police Department (RPD) Chief began a video poker campaign, arresting operators of and seizing these illegal machines both in their city limits and in their extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ).  The Richmond Sheriff wanted me to dismiss all the RPD cases that the RPD brought in the ETJ.  In fact, he asked me to “ban” them from bringing any cases out there by dismissing all the cases they brought in the ETJ.  After researching it, I determined that the RPD had the authority to do it, and I had no authority to stop them.  So I refused.  Eventually, he cussed me out and I was told by others that if I did not do what the Richmond Sheriff wanted, he would destroy me.  However, I held to my guns, since my oath requires that I uphold the law and work to administer it fairly.  It was from this event that his hatred grew.  You see, it is about control.  I do not want to run the Sheriff’s Office, and as long as I am DA, he will not run the DA’s Office.

It is great to see so many people waking up to what he is doing.  It was a great day today, we saw a large number of people and gave out more signs than any day of our campaign.  Thanks Richmond County for knowing what is going on here!  With your help, we will continue to move our district forward and with the coming election, we will have a new Sheriff who I will be able to join us in the fight on crime rather than oppose our efforts to improve the quality of law enforcement.

Last week, Faye Gathings filed a challenge to my candidacy based on my residency, I am not surprised.  Faye has tried to get me out office for five years, filing a petition to remove me from office, suing me, writing letters to judges, newspapers and politicians.  To learn more about the story, read the press release I released on Monday.  I will be glad to settle this matter.  My opposition has been spreading this untruth for years.  I was also asked several other questions that I know came from the oppoisition.  Check back here frequently for to learn what the issue for the day is and what the truth is!  Thanks for your support. If you need a sign, contact Terry Moore in Hamlet.  910-582-0522.

Below is the press release I sent to the Press today:

NEWS RELEASE

Monday, March 1, 2010

For additional information contact:

Michael Parker

704-983-4007

Gathings Challenges Parker Candidacy

MARSTON – District Attorney Michael Parker announced today that Faye Gathings of Anson County filed a petition challenging his candidacy on February 25, 2010.   Gathings is no stranger to Parker.  She used a similar tactic in 2006 when she filed a petition to remove Parker from office for his 2005 decision not to indict Joy Burgess in the death of her son.  Gathings has also sued Parker and attempted to have petitions signed following this decision.

Gathing’s son, Brian Gathings, was killed by Joy Burgess on December 1, 2004 while breaking into Burgess’ home during the night.  Brian Gathings had charges pending in District and Superior Court at the time of his death and some were set for court on December 2, 2004.  At the time of his death, Brian Gathings had a restraining order against him and had been ordered to stay away from Burgess due to a prior history of domestic violence.

Parker said, “My decision in Gathings’ death was that of a justified homicide based upon his conduct before and during the break-in and NCGS 14-51.1, which provides for the use of deadly force against an intruder.”

Gathings challenge is based on Parker’s residency.  Parker was born and raised in Moore County and moved back to Moore County when he graduated from Law School.  Parker became a prosecutor in 1989 when Moore, Richmond, Anson, Stanly and Union counties were part of District 20.  Moore County was split off of the district in 1996.  Because he was a career prosecutor, Parker chose to remain with Richmond, Anson and Stanly counties.  Parker said, “I never left the district, the district left me, so I moved to Richmond County after buying a home here in 2000 and have been very active in community programs in all three counties.”  Parker now lives in Marston but returns to the family farm in Moore County on the weekends.

As to the challenge to his candidacy, the law has little room to rule out frivolous claims.  It is likely a hearing will be held in which Parker must prove his residency in Richmond County.  “I welcome the inquiry,” Parker said.  “My opposition has circulated these rumors for years, and I look forward to vindicating myself on this issue.”

“A District Attorney must not only seek to convict the guilty, but to also protect the innocent.  My job requires me to make tough decisions every day, but I make them based on the law and the evidence.  That is my job and I intend to continue doing it,” Parker said.