Judge lowers bond for former NC lawmaker facing sex charges

A judge in High Point has lowered the bond for former state Rep. Cecil Brockman, who has been held since early last month on child sex charges.

Brockman has been held on a $1.05 million bond. At a bond hearing Monday, a judge agreed to reduce it to $250,000, according to WXII-TV. Brockman’s lawyer last week requested that the bond be reduced to $100,000 — a request opposed by county prosecutors, according to court records.

Brockman, a 41-year-old Democrat who has represented High Point for a decade, was arrested Oct. 8 and charged with two counts of statutory sex offense with a child and two additional counts of indecent liberties with a child. Prosecutors allege that he met the 15-year-old victim on a dating app and that they lived together for a time. The alleged victim’s cellphone contained videos of illicit acts, according to prosecutors, who said investigators recognized Brockman in some of the videos.

A judge initially set the $1.05 million bond in part because authorities considered him a flight risk because the victim is from out of state. Authorities previously held him without bail, saying that the lawmaker has the resources to flee the state. Authorities alleged in court documents that Brockman had attempted to contact a victim in the hospital and that he attempted to “use his status to gain information on the whereabouts of the victim.”

During the bond hearing Monday, Brockman told a judge: "I would like to know why lies are being accepted without there being a rebuttal to those lies.”

He added: “I don't think it's fair on my behalf to have to sit here and hear constant lies told on, by the state's behalf, your honor, and me not being able to respond through at least my attorney.”

Brockman was initially ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim — an order that stands. If Brockman posts bond, he would be required to live with his mother and wear a tracking device. Brockman also would have to forfeit his passport and cellphone, WXII reported.

Brockman and his lawyer haven’t responded to WRAL’s requests for comment. A legislative aide previously said Brockman wouldn’t comment on the charges.

Brockman could be seen during Monday’s hearing wearing a jumpsuit and sitting in a chair. A sheriff’s deputy stood behind him as he spoke.

North Carolina lawmaker Brockman resigns amid pressure from party over charges of child sex offenses

Brockman resigned Friday following bipartisan pressure to resign from his seat in the state House of Representatives. In his resignation letter, Brockman said he plans to resign to focus on his defense.

“Due to the seriousness of these accusations, I need to focus on my defense of these allegations,” Brockman said in his resignation letter, which was viewed by WRAL on Friday before it was filed. “As a result, I am currently unable to fulfill my duty and service to my constituents in Guilford County. As a result, I am resigning my position from the NC House of Representatives effective immediately.”

With Brockman now out, members of the Guilford County Democratic Party are tasked with replacing him. Democrats who live in Brockman’s district can run for the seat in an election held internally by officials within the local Democratic Party. State law then directs the governor to appoint that person.

The Guilford County Democratic Party plans to hold a meeting Nov. 15 to nominate Brockman’s replacement, said Kathy Kirkpatrick, the Guilford party chairwoman. Kirkpatrick called local party members in advance of Brockman’s resignation in hopes the replacement process would go as smoothly as possible, she said. Eligible Democrats — those who live in the district — can announce a campaign for the seat in advance of the meeting, or they can declare their candidacy during the meeting itself.

Kirkpatrick and others have been eager to replace Brockman because he has missed multiple votes since his Oct. 8 arrest. Brockman was in jail while the House voted on new congressional maps, as well as proposals to fund Medicaid and boost pay for some employees. Brockman’s presence wouldn’t have changed the outcome of those votes. However, a vacant Democrat-controlled seat makes it easier for the Republican-controlled House to override a series of vetoes by Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.