NHC DA taking over case of stolen documents

The New Hanover County District Attorney’s Office will officially be taking over the investigation into documents stolen from inside the Onslow County DA’s office.

A UNCW intern is accused of stealing documents in the murder case of pregnant Marine Maria Lauterbach.

Onslow County DA Dewey Hudson was faced with a conflict of interest this morning. He called on New Hanover District Attorney Ben David to take on the case.

“Its a particularly serious matter for the members of law enforcement. It was alleged conduct by a district attorney’s employee. The administrative office of the courts called me in because there is a potential conflict in that Dewey Hudson obviously can’t prosecute someone within his own office,” said David.

The documents in question were part of the prosecution of Marine Corporal Cesar Laurean, who is charged with the murder.