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December 5, 2012

Deas responds to Currie

By Justin Jones, Staff Writer SNAP

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 — The man who has accused a local defense attorney of pointing a gun at him and others is awaiting answers from the North Carolina Department of Justice.

Richard Nolan Deas Jr., 40,  who has accused Patrick Currie, the defense attorney at Currie Law Offices in Albemarle of pointing a gun at Deas, his father and 4-year-old son, said he did not threaten Currie before the alleged incident.

Last week, Currie left a comment by phone to The Stanly News & Press that he had “done nothing wrong.”

“I have cooperated fully in the investigation against me. And the allegations against me are completely untrue,” he said in a story in Sunday’s edition of The Stanly News & Press.

After seeing those comments, Deas said that those statements are false and is willing to go through various measures to prove it, whether it be further questioning, polygraph testing or court.

Deas detailed the story in which he said he went to Currie’s law office to gather documents relevant to a child custody case between Deas and his separated wife, Karey.

Currie is representing her in the family’s custody case.

The case file on the custody hearing shows that the case dates back to the summer months of 2011. In that file, a letter that Deas had written to District Attorney Reece Saunders records a complaint against  Judge Scott Brewer. Brewer ruled in August 2011 that Deas only be allowed six nights per month to care for his son.  

Deas said he went to Currie’s office Nov. 16 after notifying their office through e-mail at least one day before that he would be appearing to gather documents.

Deas said when Currie came to meet Deas and his father in their waiting area, Currie looked noticeably upset.

According to Deas, Currie told him he could not speak to him about the case, as Currie cited that he must go through Deas’ attorney, which was formerly John Webster. Deas then told Currie that he had dropped Webster as his attorney and was representing himself in the case.

Records show that Webster filed to withdraw as counsel for Deas on Oct. 22 due to “compelling ethical considerations that have arisen in this matter.”

Deas authorized Webster’s withdrawal by Nov. 12.

After a brief exchange, Deas said Currie began yelling at him to leave.

“ ‘I need you to get out of my office. I want you go get out right now,’ ” Deas said of what Currie told him.

Deas said that as they were walking out, he yelled a non-threatening expletive at Currie.

“I was out of the building and at the end of his front porch. He said ‘Hey,’ reaching in his back pocket, and says ‘Maybe this will make you leave quicker,’ ” Deas said of what Currie was yelling.

Deas said Currie was pointing a gun at the three of them, including his 4-year-old son.

“Had it sideways like some kind of gangster,” Deas said.

“(Currie) was standing there shaking and telling us to get off. (My dad and son) were on a public sidewalk. And I had my back turned to him,” Deas said of their position when the gun was pulled.

After a brief exchange in which Deas said his father asked that Currie put the gun away in the presence of the young boy, the men left.

Deas said they immediately went to Albemarle Police Department, who sent an officer to Currie’s office.

That officer took a statement from Deas and talked to Currie. Deas said the department was then going to send over an investigator to get an official statement from Currie.

Deas said he asked the officer if Currie accused him of threatening him, and according to Deas, the officer replied he did not accuse Deas of any threats.

“That’s what shocks me. Saying none of that happens,” Deas said of seeing Currie’s comments in the SNAP.

“I don’t know Mr. Currie and I don’t know what he does. How do I know he had a gun? Because he pulled it on us. Why would an attorney have a gun in his back pocket? (Officer) said she saw a gun. Why would I know that? I know that cause he did it.”

Deas said the weapon appeared to be a small compact semi-automatic handgun.

After Albemarle Police concluded their investigation, the case was sent over to Saunders, who said that because of his work relationship with Currie, it would have to be sent to another county. But the case was not sent to another county and was instead sent to the Attorney General.

“It’s been sitting up there for almost three weeks,” Deas said.

“Called Attorney General (office) twice and haven’t heard a word from nobody.”

 

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