Page 4 - Phyllis Gorham News Today

A North Carolina Superior Court judge rejected Sen. Michael Lee’s, R-New Hanover, request to have his Democrat opponent, Marcia Morgan, immediately take down allegedly false television ads against him. However, a lawsuit against Morgan and her political campaign committee will proceed to trial.

Marcia Morgan’s ad, “Serving Others” accuses her opponent Michael Lee of using his position for personal gain and helping local developers through his law firm.

A superior court judge declined State Senator Michael Lee’s request for an emergency injunction to block Marcia Morgan’s campaign ads from airing. The underlying complaint of defamation will still to proceed to trial, as of now.

A judge denied several requests by New Hanover County Schools to dismiss allegations, allowing Michael Kellys victims to proceed with their lawsuit.

The lawyers who represent the survivors of former New Hanover County Schools teacher Michael Earl Kelly’s sexual abuse or alleged sexual abuse — known as John Does 1-14 — have filed in Superior Court a motion to dismiss the class action claim in the suit against the New Hanover County School Board, former Deputy Superintendent Rick Holliday, and former Superintendent Tim Markley.

New Hanover County Schools is suing its four insurance providers over roughly $31 million in coverage to deal with the civil fallout from the crimes of former teacher Michael Earl Kelly. The case could now get a Rule 2.1 designation, meaning a single judge will oversee the whole process — which could help expedite the case and pave the way for a decision in the Kelly civil case.

Last summer, a shooting at New Hanover High School sent shock waves through the region, inspiring fear and concern, and turning up the volume on a long-neglected issue. Today, prosecutors in Superior Court said the shooter — now 16 — has taken responsibility for his actions.

The school boards attorneys argued the statute of limitations had passed for most of the plaintiffs to take legal action.

The hearing was part of one of the biggest cases to affect the Cape Fear region — the civil lawsuit filed against the New Hanover County Schools district (NHCS) by the victims and alleged victims of former teacher and convicted child abuser Michael Earl Kelly. The suit has been going for almost three years but now — at the request of the district — Superior Court Judge Phyllis Gorham could dismiss many, or even all, of the plaintiffs.

Tyler Greenfield was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2017 for his role in a 2015 murder. The case is set to be retried.