Prosecutor Put on Leave After Being Charged with Drunken Bicycling Will Be Replaced in Murder Case
A senior prosecutor was arrested and charged with drunken bicycling this week on the grounds of a resort where a conference for North Carolina district attorneys is being held.
Eric Bellas, 45, was placed on administrative leave following the incident, requiring another prosecutor to replace him in the high-profile Zahra Baker murder case, reports WBTV. He serves as the chief assistant district attorney in District 25, which includes Burke, Catawba and Caldwell counties.
Bellas was arrested and charged with the misdemeanor after he allegedly crashed his bike just before midnight Monday at the resort, according to the station and the Hickory Daily Record. He had some injuries to his face, but apparently was not seriously injured.
The Daily Record says he refused a blood-alcohol test and medical treatment.
