Brookford Police Chief Appears In Court, Pleads Not Guilty To What He Calls Politically Motivated Charges

Brookford Police Chief Willie Armstrong pleaded not guilty to felony and misdemeanor charges related to handling of evidence in the case of a 13-year-old girl who was murdered in 1992.

Armstrong appeared in Catawba County Superior Court Monday afternoon for arraignment on a felony charge of altering, destroying or stealing evidence and a misdemeanor charge of willful failure to discharge duties.

He was indicted on the charges May 5.

The indictments allege Armstrong altered, destroyed and failed to preserve a recording from William Powell Crooks’ residence. Armstrong interviewed Crooks about the 1992 murder of Isis Denise “Dee Dee” Dawkins. Dawkins, age 13, was found dead in the Henry Fork River on July 28, 1992.

During the hearing Monday, Armstrong’s attorney James Hairston made a motion to dismiss the charges. He said the state’s evidence failed to allege a crime. Judge Matthew Osman denied the motion from Hairston.
The case is scheduled to go to trial in 2026, according to Judge Osman.

Armstrong contends the case against him is politically motivated.
 
In February, Armstrong announced he planned to run for Sheriff of Catawba County.

Hickory Daily Record contributed to this story