New prosecutor in Soles case, SBI focusing on two investigations

We now know who will be taking over as prosecutor in the RC Soles investigation, after Columbus County District Attorney Rex Gore stepped down Wednesday.

The Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Section, led by Senior Deputy Jim Coman, has assumed responsibility for all cases related to Senator Soles.

Coman has tried over 250 major criminal jury trials, primarily involving public corruption, murder, sexual assault, and white collar crime. Coman was one of 2 prosecutors in the Duke Lacrosse case after Mike Nifong asked to be removed from the case. He has served in the Attorney General’s office for 24 years.

Attorney General Roy Cooper said his prosecutors will conduct an impartial and thorough review of the evidence, and will make a decision based on the law and facts alone.

Soles is the focus of two separate investigations being conducted by the SBI. The first was launched after a man told WWAY the senator tried to molest him when he was 15 years old.

We have confirmation that the SBI is now looking into claims of a sexual assault from a second alleged victim.

Soles is also the focus of a shooting investigation. Authorities were called to the senator’s Tabor City home late last month after Soles shot 22-year-old Kyle Blackburn. The senator told investigators that Blackburn, a client of his law practice, was trying to break into his house.

Blackburn told us he was leaving the senator’s property when he was shot.

Both investigations are ongoing, and the Attorney General’s office said they would make no further comment about the case until decisions have been made regarding any prosecutions.