FIRST ON 3: Judge extends protective order against Berger

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A judge says New Hanover County Commissioner Brian Berger must stay away from his ex-girlfriend. Heather Blaylock filed a protective order after multiple incidents including a barrage of text messages and an argument outside the mall.

Although we were not allowed in the courtroom, Berger did talk to reporters after the hearing saying he is the victim, not Blaylock.

“It’s just unfortunate for me that my rights are being taken away while the one person who has hit children and hit me should somehow be granted this, I guess you can say, a huge victory,” Berger said.

WATCH BERGER’S FULL INTERVIEW WITH REPORTERS AFTER COURT

Berger sprinted past reporters on his way to court Friday morning for the hearing.

“People will perceive that I did something wrong, whereas she’s the innocent victim when it’s actually the other way around.”

After hearing from both sides, Judge Sandra Ray Criner made the decision to extend that protective order against him based largely on the content of the more than 140 text messages Berger sent Blaylock on August 29. That’s the night police say he tried to kill himself.

Four days later Berger and Blaylock met at the mall to discuss their issues. Blaylock says as she tried to leave, Berger got upset leading to another call to police.

Berger says after that incident he stopped talking to Blaylock.

“I wasn’t contacting her beforehand, so there was no reason to take out the protective order other than to publicly humiliate me, embarrass me and harm me more than she’s already done,” Berger said.

In the middle of all of this controversy, New Hanover County Commissioners asked Berger to resign. He has since said he will not resign and that he is ready to move on in his life and get back to work.

“I’m going to continue to do the exact same things I’ve been doing, with some exceptions, and I’m going to do my job and live life,” Berger said.

We tried to talk with Blaylock after the hearing, but she has not called us back.

Categories: New Hanover

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