by Roy Exum
R.C. Soles, at age 74, is the longest serving lawmaker in North Carolina, and, perhaps in anticipation of the fact he might soon be indicted, the august state senator announced at the first of this year he would not seek re-election after 42 years in the state legislature. Many wish for his sake it would be that easy.
You see, Soles has been a longtime advocate of gun control, an outspoken critic of a citizen’s right to bear arms. So when he shot an ex-con who was trying to kick down his door at his home in tiny Tabor City on Aug. 23 last year, eyebrows were raised across the state. The fact the staunch Democrat used a firearm himself to protect his property was absolutely delightful to those across the nation who stand on the other side of the firearms issue.
Unfortunately for the senator, after a lifetime of what he thought was best for the citizenry of the southeastern part of the state, his life then started unraveling faster than a quick cat can unroll a ball of yarn. Forget that he was among the most powerful politicians in the Tar Heel State; an investigation of the now-questionable shooting sent the matter to the grand jury and Soles was indicted on a felony charge about three weeks ago.
The Columbus County Grand Jury returned a true bill stating that instead of defending himself, the senator should be charged with “assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious bodily injury,” which carries a possible sentence of 15 to 31 months. On Jan. 8 the legislator was released on a $5,000 bond and, once again, many for his sake wish it could be that easy.
In the Jan. 9, 2010 issue of the Wilmington Star-News, the first paragraph of a story entitled, “Soles’ Personal Life Becomes Public” reads as follows: “For years, residents say, state Sen. R.C. Soles’ questionable relationships with young men in Tabor City were an open secret in the small Columbus County town.”
Oh, my stars! The same newspaper story further reads, “Residents of Tabor City have reported seeing Soles driving around town with a motorcade of young men trailing him. Some say they have seen him handing out money. Others have seen public arguments unfold. Soles has admitted giving cash to these young men, which he says is an act of kindness for those in need.
“But the senator’s self-proclaimed generosity backfired when one of the young men, Stacey Scott, told a local TV station Soles tried to molest him when he was 15. He later recanted the allegation on another TV station, but a State Bureau of Investigation probe had already begun. Scott’s accusation was just the beginning of what became a barrage of public exposure revealing thousands of dollars paid by Soles to the young men and disturbances at his home.”
Well, anyone can get on the Internet and uncover a growing collection of tawdry tidbits about the renowned state senator. It appears that Soles, who is also a rather colorful attorney, had represented quite a number of the young men. The guy he shot back in August – Kyle Blackburn, 22 – was with another young man at the time of the shooting, B.J. Wright, and Soles has admitted he gave money to Wright, his one-time client, while B.J. was in prison.
Soles, who has never married, has repeatedly denied allegations he is a homosexual and, as he arrived at the county detention center to post bond, he said, “I wish I were free to comment to you,” responding to a covey of reporters, “but it would be totally inappropriate under any circumstances now.”
An article in the Charlotte Observer the day after Soles posted bond included this: “Records show that police were called to Soles’ house and law office at least 40 times in the past four years. Some calls were routine, such as burglar alarms going off.
“But dozens involved circumstances such as neighbors hearing gunshots and screams, attempted burglaries, loud arguments, reported assaults and complaints of young people on mopeds circling Soles’ house. Soles has denied any improper relationships with the men and said he was trying to help those in trouble.”
The senator, who is still a member of the state legislature until the Nov. election, will next appear in court on Feb. 10 and a special prosecutor has been appointed. But instead of a warm and pleasant close of 42 years of service, R.C. Soles may soon be sleeping in a far-different nest – one of his own making.
Trust me, this is an upcoming saga the whole nation will watch play out.