Holden Beach manager testifies in Oxford case

BOLIVIA, NC (WWAY) — Former Holden Beach Police Det. Terri Oxford may have done a little extra detective work in-house. Oxford is suing the Town of Holden Beach for wrongful firing and sex discrimination.

Town Manager David Hewett took the stand today and testified Oxford wanted to do a background check on Police Chief Wally Layne. A letter in Oxford’s personnel file from Layne suggests Oxford thought Layne had a pending DUI and a warrant for child support in Virginia. Layne did the background check himself.

On the stand, Hewett said it was possible Oxford lacked respect for Layne because she had witnessed the chief at a crime scene with alcohol on his breath. Hewett also said he never investigated rumors of Layne’s drinking on the job, even though he knew of them.

The defense asked for a directed verdict based on its opinion that there was not enough evidence proving Oxford was discriminated against because of her gender. Judge Ola Lewis denied that request.