GUILTY NC - Douglas Edwards for kidnapping, rape of 6yo girl, Wilmington, 2016

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Locals are upset because a mobile Amber Alert was not put out in this case: http://www.wect.com/story/33115020/many-asking-questions-about-mobile-amber-alerts

"The Amber Alert had been received and validated after 10 PM, and in North Carolina that system is only activated between the hours of 6 AM and 10 PM," explained Smith.

Charles Smith works for New Hanover County Communications, and says because of how late the Amber Alert was received, itt was only seen on televisions, and heard through the radio.

"We do have other means of communication, and that was activated shortly after 10 PM with about 9,000 phone calls to that zip code, that part of the county where the child was reported to be missing from," said Smith.

For Bruning and others, the time limit comes as a shock.
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BBM. I did not know that was the case in NC. Where I live, I have received Amber Alerts on my phone at 1 or 2 AM. I know this has happened several times because the sound it makes is loud and woke up my entire house. I didn't mind this, though, once I saw it was a missing child. People complained all over social media about alerts in the middle of the night and it was pointed out they can turn their alerts off or turn their phones off if they don't want to be woken up. A kidnapped child alert should be put out no matter the time, IMO. Question for those in NC: have you ever received AA's in the middle of the night? Has it always been the case there that they don't put out alerts after 10 PM? It just seems like the Alert system should be the same nationwide. It never occurred to me it would be different in different states.
 
Poor little girl. Prayers for her healing. The LE officer who gave the press conference was about to cry even though she was found alive. So sad for everyone. I hope he gets the most charges possible, including attempted murder since he left her there tied up. JMO
 
I've had one alert in the middle of the night, several years ago. It was louder than any setting I'd ever used on my phone. Scared the living he!! out of me! That only happened once. I didn't realize the time limit though. Why not just send a text that alerts with the volume set by the individual? There must be some kind of compromise.... JMO, MOO, etc.
 
The local DA Ben David is excellent and will throw everything he can at this guy I feel certain. I lived in Wilmington until last summer - Mr. David is extremely competent and through. So relieved she was found and hope she and her family receive the support they need.
 
Gardener1850 said:
Locals are upset because a mobile Amber Alert was not put out in this case: http://www.wect.com/story/33115020/many-asking-questions-about-mobile-amber-alerts



BBM. I did not know that was the case in NC. Where I live, I have received Amber Alerts on my phone at 1 or 2 AM. I know this has happened several times because the sound it makes is loud and woke up my entire house. I didn't mind this, though, once I saw it was a missing child. People complained all over social media about alerts in the middle of the night and it was pointed out they can turn their alerts off or turn their phones off if they don't want to be woken up. A kidnapped child alert should be put out no matter the time, IMO. Question for those in NC: have you ever received AA's in the middle of the night? Has it always been the case there that they don't put out alerts after 10 PM? It just seems like the Alert system should be the same nationwide. It never occurred to me it would be different in different states.
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I've been here 6yrs and had no idea that was the case here. All the alerts I've received have been during the day time hours and I've never thought twice about it. That makes no sense to me at all! There are many people who are up and about during the night time hours here and it would definitely be beneficial to get those alerts out immediately. Less traffic at night, so it would definitely be easier to spot a specific vehicle then IF the information is out there!
This poor little doll, I pray for swift justice for her and even swifter healing!
 
I'm so glad she has been found safe! However, how she was found is completely devastating! From the articles I'm read, she comes from a very loving family, so she has a great support system to overcoming this. So happy for the family and I hope she realizes how much of a strong little girl she is! She definitely beat the odds and is lucky to be alive!

I do have to say, with being from Wilmington, I am very disappointed I never heard about this case sooner, and never received an amber alert. I've gotten them before, at all hours of the day, even one after midnight in one instance, for cases that were from towns hours away, so I'm really confused that I wouldn't receive one for a local case. I didn't know anything about the case until my Psychology professor told my class that she had been found.

What concerns me about crimes like these, the perpetrator usually has done it before. Douglas Edwards was a registered sex offender, and had molested another 6 year old years ago. The same thing in the Jacob Wetterling case, Danny Heinrich had a history of molesting young boys many years prior. There is an obvious flaw in the way we are still handling our past sex offenders. In fact, Wetterling's case is what lead to the sex offender registry, and information of that offender being public knowledge, and with Amber Hagerman we were introduced to the Amber alert. These are both really crucial tools to decreasing crimes of this nature and ultimately keep our children protected and safe, but my main point is that I don't think another child's tragic story should lead to the next progression with regulating the laws of sex offenders, we should do that now. Sex offenders that are repeat offenders should be handled differently. I don't know how, but there's definitely an obvious pattern here.
 
wait what? Statutory rape? Of a 6 year old? That charge does not seem appropriate. Rape yes, statutory? Maybe one of our verified attorneys can explain this charge for me. I am accustomed to seeing this charge in a situation where someone who is a minor but is a willing participant in sexual activity with an adult.

[FONT=&quot]Alabama statutory rape law is violated when an individual over age 18 (or 16 or older if the victim is at least 2 years younger than the offender) engages in sexual intercourse with a person over the age of 12 and under age 16.[/FONT]
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tlcya said:
wait what? Statutory rape? Of a 6 year old? That charge does not seem appropriate. Rape yes, statutory? Maybe one of our verified attorneys can explain this charge for me. I am accustomed to seeing this charge in a situation where someone who is a minor but is a willing participant in sexual activity with an adult.
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I thought it was odd as well. I hope some lawyers can explain. Also wondering if attempted first degree murder can carry a life sentence? I hope so.
 
At the risk of being repetitive, here is a link to Douglas' record with the NC Dept of Public Safety (name changed from Dept of Corrections).

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi...turl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

Also, I looked at the New Hanover Courts docket for him and found this:

District and Superior Courts of NEW_HANOVER County

CourtDefendantDate of
Birth		Court
Date		Court
Room		SessionCase
Number		Citation
Number

[TD="class: listingfont"][/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"][/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"][/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"][/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"][/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"][/TD]
[TD="class: Menu"][/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"][/TD]

[TD="class: listingfont"] Superior[/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"] EDWARDS,DOUGLAS,NELSON[/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"] 11/17/1969[/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"] 12/12/2016[/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"] 0403[/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"] AM[/TD]
[TD="class: Menu"] 2016CRS006866 [/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"][/TD]

[TD="class: listingfont"] Superior[/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"] EDWARDS,DOUGLAS,NELSON[/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"] 11/17/1969[/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"] 12/12/2016[/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"] 0403[/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"] AM[/TD]
[TD="class: Menu"] 2016CRS006867 [/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"][/TD]

[TD="class: listingfont"] Superior[/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"] EDWARDS,DOUGLAS,NELSON[/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"] 11/17/1969[/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"] 12/12/2016[/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"] 0403[/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"] AM[/TD]
[TD="class: Menu"] 2016CRS057399 [/TD]
[TD="class: listingfont"][/TD]

http://www1.aoc.state.nc.us/www/cal...ards,d&start=0&navindex=0&submit=Submit+Query

Here are the specific charges:
Attempted 1st Degree Murder
Statutory Sex Offense w/child
Statutory Rape of Child by Adult
AWDW Serious Injury
1st Degree Kidnapping
Indecent Liberties w/Child
Indecent Liberties w/Child............yes, two of that offense

If convicted of those charges, if the charges can be specified as "Consecutive," he will exit the jailhouse in a box.
He has had prior crimes, which count against him in sentencing, and the specified months of incarceration for those particular crimes are severe.
 
The trial for convicted sex offender Douglas Nelson Edwards began this morning in New Hanover County Superior Court, with opening statements heard from both the state and defense.

Edwards, 47, is charged with kidnapping a then 6-year-old girl from her Monkey Junction home last September. Edwards made off with the child in broad daylight, taking her to a secluded area off River Road. There, he chained her up by the neck, allegedly sexually assaulting her and then leaving her for “dead,” according to Assistant District Attorney Lance Oehrlein.

Edwards is facing a number of charges, including first degree kidnapping, attempted first degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to inflict serious injury, statutory sexual offense with a child by an adult, two counts of indecent liberties with a child, statutory rape of a child by an adult, intimidating a witness, and obstruction of justice.

The victim will testify remotely throughout the trial in the company of her mother and service dog, despite the defenses early attempt to have her testify alone...

The defense followed, but rather than denying the charges, simply disputed some of the story. “The state may not be able to prove all of what was said, but, we agree with much of what was said,” defense attorney Kenneth Hatcher. “My client is not disputing that he took (the victim). What he is denying is that he did not take her for sexual reasons, or to harm her.”
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http://portcitydaily.com/2017/09/13...-charged-with-kidnapping-6-year-old-girl-nws/

Thursday marks the second day of trial for Douglas Edwards accused of kidnapping a 6-year-old in New Hanover County exactly one year ago today....

Crystal McGirt took the stand. McGirt is a bus driver for New Hanover County Schools who said she saw Edwards and the child the day she went missing. WWAY interviewed McGirt the week after it all happened.
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https://www.wwaytv3.com/2017/09/14/...edwards-on-anniversary-of-alleged-kidnapping/
 
Convicted sex offender Douglas Nelson Edwards will spend the rest of his natural life in prison after being sentenced to 80-110 years in prison by Judge Phyllis Gorham in New Hanover County Superior Court Thursday.

A jury Wednesday convicted Edwards of multiple crimes, including attempted first degree murder, first degree kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to inflict serious harm and statutory sexual offense with a child by an adult, in relation to the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 6-year-old girl last September.
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http://portcitydaily.com/2017/09/21...-in-prison-horror-story-comes-to-a-close-nws/
 
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