SBI: Johnston County magistrate threatened to kill suspect
A Johnston County magistrate is facing charges after he allegedly threatened to shoot and kill a crime suspect in October, according to court documents.
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The State Bureau of Investigation charged Sam Blake Jr. Monday with communicating threats, which is a misdemeanor. An SBI spokeswoman said the threats were made while Blake was on duty.
Court documents state that Blake told the suspect, "If I catch you over there, I'll shoot and kill you."
He remains on the job, however, and state law requires a lengthy process to remove a magistrate.
Blake is due in court Feb. 21.
The allegation prompted the county on Wednesday to release more than 180 pages of documented complaints against Blake and his responses over the last 10 years.
Law enforcement officers, co-workers and citizens have accused Blake of lacking professionalism, behaving rudely and publicly calling other magistrates racist in complaints dating back to 2002.
In response to the last claim, Blake wrote in a letter that, "the statements that were made have been made, not only by me, but also by all races and cultures of law enforcement officers to various other races in my presence."
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