Sarah Scully, Anchor/Reporter
Often fidgeting in his orange prison uniform, former Madison County Chief Deputy Coy Phillips had a televised appearance in the Madison County temporary courthouse this morning from the Avery County Jail as the cops who once had him as their boss watched him talk to the Superior Court judge.
Video and pictures were not allowed in the courtroom.
“Yes, your honor,” were some of Coy’s few words spoken to Judge Ted McEntire about his administrative process.
The NC State Bureau of Investigation charged Phillips with 5 felonies and 2 misdemeanors for crimes occurring while working for the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.
Today’s appearance was to determine who would represent Phillips in the upcoming trial. Longtime Asheville area attorney Sean Devereux met with Phillips at the Avery County Jail July 5, but there will be another court date July 16 to see if Devereux can represent him.
“The potential for conflict is there,” said Devereux, after the court proceeding. “We’ve had a bunch of cases together before.
“He’s a genuinely decent human being. I’d be honored to represent him.”
District Attorney Seth Banks is prosecuting the former cop, whom he also worked with on multiple cases.
I asked him what it was like to prosecute a former colleague and he said in a July 1 phone call, “My personal feelings are irrelevant. We’re passionate about upholding the rule of law, and we’re going to pursue justice in each and every case.”
On an editorial note, I have now had six former sheriff’s office employees reach out to me with concerns about Coy and fellow law enforcement personnel.
I have now had 3 of them independently confirm one major incident not included in the charges so far.
I have reached out to a couple of other sources and am waiting to see if they would like to comment before I publish. That story will air within a couple days.
I have also had multiple community members reach out to me about Coy and the sheriff’s department. Thank you.
If any talented sketch artists are available to draw July 16 in the courtroom, please let me know.
