Thomas Wright of Wilmington charges update

WAKE COUNTY "As far as I can determine, no one in the history of the U.S., certainly in the history of North Carolina, has ever been charged with it."

The charges date back to actions in 2001. Now, Wake County's district attorney wants a speedy trial to finish before the November election.

Wright's lawyer says there's no hurry, "murderers and rapists have been sitting in jail waiting for trial. And, then all of the sudden they're going to rush Thomas Wright to trial to accommodate the legislature is just wrong."

Wake District Attorney Colon Willoughby asked the judge to start this trial in early March. Wright's attorney wants it in July or August, after the primary election. Wright's house district is a safe seat for democrats.