Jury Trials in Macon County Resume After a Yearlong Hiatus

PRESS RELEASE 43RD PROSECUTORIAL DISTRICT

It’s been more than a year since a jury trial was held in Macon County, thanks to the threat of coronavirus. But, Macon County Superior Court is underway this week, though in a new and unusual venue.

The county’s two usual courtrooms were deemed too small for maintaining safe spacing among court participants, District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said. Instead, Chief Resident Superior Court Judge William Coward is overseeing jury trials in the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

--END PRESS RELEASE--

Previously

The Macon County Board of Commissioners entered into a lease agreement for use of the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts at a meeting in October 2020. An excerpt from that meeting is posted below.



For more information: [October 2020 Commissioner Meeting]

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Published at 4:20am on Wednesday, February 17, 2021

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Press Release: Welch Announces Breast Cancer Disgnosis

District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch
43rd Prosecutorial District

Monday, Nov. 23 

District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch today announced that she has breast cancer and is undergoing medical treatment.

“I wanted to publicly share the information to raise awareness about the importance of early detection,” Welch said. “Because of the threat of coronavirus, health officials say many women are delaying or even skipping routine mammograms. I am proof that these basic health checks save lives.”

Barring a mammogram, Welch likely would have learned about her cancer later in the process, risking additional spread of the disease. 

Welch has stage II breast cancer. Doctors expect her to make a full recovery. 
“Going public with private information is tough,” Welch said. “But, I believe that it is the right thing to do.”

Welch holds elected office as the top prosecutor for the 43rd Prosecutorial District, made up of the state’s seven westernmost counties.

The district attorney has continued working, though on a limited basis; meanwhile, day-to-day office functions have been handled by staff members.

“I have a terrific team of people,” Welch said. “Their determination to take care of the court’s business while I take care of this health issue makes me value them still more.”

 Welch had surgery last month and starts radiation treatment after Thanksgiving. She will be treated for six weeks, five days a week. 

“I am truly grateful for the outpouring of support from colleagues, other lawyers, judges, law enforcement and members of the media, who have known about my diagnosis almost from the beginning,” she said. “Cancer is frightening. But the support has made my journey easier than it might have been, otherwise.”

The American Cancer Society recommends routine mammography for women starting at age 45; however, doctors are increasingly discussing with their patients the benefits and risks of earlier mammograms.

“Have that conversation,” 42-year-old Welch said. “Figure out what’s right for you, then follow through.” 

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District Attorney Welch Appoints Arnold to Help Oversee the 30A Prosecutorial District

PRESS RELEASE
43rd PROSECUTORIAL DISTRICT

District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch has appointed a second chief assistant, Jason Arnold, to help oversee the 43rd Prosecutorial District. The 43rd is made up of seven counties that are divided into two judicial districts, 30A, and 30B. There are 43 employees in the District Attorney’s Office; 14 are assistant district attorneys.

A Franklin native, Arnold is a 16-year veteran of the 43rd Prosecutorial District. As chief assistant district attorney, he will help oversee 30A, consisting of Macon, Clay, Cherokee, Graham, and Swain counties, Welch said.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Jeff Jones, based in Haywood County, helps oversee 30B, made up of Haywood and Jackson counties. “Our case loads and administrative requirements – particularly now that Covid-19 is in the mix – have increased to the point we need someone designated the point person for 30A, as Jeff is for 30B,” Welch said. “Given Jason’s experience and expertise, as well as his familiarity with the counties within 30A, he was the natural choice.” Arnold, 43, went to Franklin High School, graduating in 1995, and then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated in 1999. He earned a double major in political science and history with a minor in geography.

Arnold attended Campbell University law school.

After passing the bar and returning home, he spent two years in private practice, working for attorneys Joe Collins and Rob Hensley. He then joined the 43rd Prosecutorial District.

Arnold is past president and past vice president of the 30th District Judicial Bar. Active in the community, he is past president of Macon County’s Lion’s Club and currently serves as a board member for State Employees Credit Union.

He is the son of Carol and Jerry Arnold, also of Franklin.

Published at 2:26pm on Thursday, November 12, 2020

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Jury Trails Resume in the 43rd Prosecutorial District

Press Release
43rd Prosecutorial District
Friday, October 23, 2020

After months of delay, jury trials resume on a limited basis next week in the 43rd Prosecutorial District, made up of the state’s seven westernmost counties and overseen by District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch.

The first jury trials in the district start Monday in Haywood County.

In March, Chief Justice Cheri Beasley ordered a statewide halt to jury trials to help combat coronavirus spread. She extended the restriction through Oct. 15. Though jury trials have not taken place, North Carolina’s judicial system has continued its day-to-day functions, such as accepting pleas, holding traffic court and granting protections to victims of domestic violence.

In anticipation of the gradual resumption of jury trials, Chief Justice Beasley directed senior resident superior court judges, in consultation with local officials, to craft court safety plans. The state’s Administrative Office of the Courts and the public health director for each county reviewed and approved all safety measures. The 43rd Prosecutorial District has two senior resident judges: Bradley B. Letts oversees 30B, made up of Haywood and Jackson counties; Bill Coward oversees 30A, made up of Macon, Clay, Cherokee, Graham and Swain counties.

The judges retain discretion to suspend jury trials in their counties in connection with COVID-19, based on local needs and conditions.

In this prosecutorial district, precautions in court include:

• Requiring face masks or shields.
• Separating summoned jurors 6- to 10-feet apart.
• Maintaining proper social distancing during breaks and deliberations.
• Limiting seating for spectators to designated spaces and holding one seat open for the press.
• Presenting exhibits to the jury electronically or in a collective fashion; no paper distribution is allowed.
• Providing COVID-19 medical screenings of jurors, court personnel, attorneys witnesses and other involved parties.
• Restricting county court sessions to one week only.
• Finding substitute sites for court if a particular county’s courtroom is too small to maintain social distancing.

Haywood County has adequately sized courtrooms, as well as a jury assembly room that provides still more space, Assistant District Attorney Jeff Jones said. Jurors will be seated in both the juror box and in the audience area of the courtroom, providing 6- to 10-foot distancing; additionally, the courtrooms have been refigured with safety in mind.
The one-week restriction for jury trials has shaped the types of cases that can be heard.
“Those selected for trial are factually brief and do not require a large number of witnesses,” Jones said.

After Haywood’s session, Jackson and Clay counties are scheduled to hold jury trials for one week each, beginning Monday, Nov. 2. Assistant District Attorney John Hindsman Jr. said Clay County has adequate space for court proceedings, but jury selection will move from the courthouse to the recreation center/gym.

Haywood County has a second session for jury trials beginning the week of Nov. 9. Cherokee County will hold jury trials the week of Nov. 16, in the usual venue. Macon, Swain and Graham counties start jury trials in the new year.




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Published at 7:00pm Saturday, October 23, 2020

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Michael Macht Sworn in as Assistant District Attorney

PRESS RELEASE
District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch
43rd Prosecutorial District
Wednesday, July 8


District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch announced Wednesday that Michael Macht has joined the 43rd Prosecutorial District as an assistant district attorney.
Based in Haywood County, Macht will work districtwide – across the seven westernmost counties – as needed. 

“Mike comes with an enormous amount of experience in criminal law,” Welch said. “I’m excited to add him to the team.”

District Court Judge Monica Leslie swore in Macht last week.

The district has an office in each of the seven counties and, with the addition of Macht, 42 employees, including 13 prosecutors.

Macht attended Catawba College in Salisbury. After graduating with a degree in political science and a minor in pre-law, he attended Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 2005. 

After law school, Macht moved to Asheville, where he worked as a Buncombe County public defender. In 2008, he started his own law practice, specializing in criminal defense, juvenile defense, guardianship and personal injury work. E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the
North Carolina public records laws and if so, may be disclosed.


Published at 8:30am on Wednesday, July 8, 2020

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