Eddie Hatcher

Robeson County, NC

Eddie Hatcher

May 31, 1999 (Maxton)

In 1988, Eddie Hatcher and a fellow American Indian took over The Robesonian newspaper offices in Lumberton and held 20 staff members hostage. The pair demanded that the state governor commit to an independent investigation of allegations of crooked county government, unsolved murders and rampant drug trafficking in the area. The pair released the hostages after then Gov. Jim Martin agreed. A state task force later determined their allegations to be unfounded. However, years later, a federal investigation had by 2006 led to the arrests of six sheriff deputies and two Lumberton police officers, with more arrests likely. Deputies were living far beyond their means with profits from the drug trade flowing up Interstate 95.

Hatcher faced federal charges on the newspaper takeover, but by representing himself at trial convinced a jury to acquit him. The state then filed charges on which he was convicted. One condition of his parole was that he not enter Robeson County. In 1998, following parole completion, Hatcher ignored the advice of friends and foes and returned to Robeson County. He was a folk hero to some and became very active in local politics. He even expressed possible intentions of running for a seat in the state legislature.

In 1999, Hatcher's friend, Brian McMillan was shot to death in Maxton. Bullets from three different guns were found at the scene, implying more than one person committed the shooting. Hatcher was arrested alone after the shooting and none of the recovered bullets were fired from his gun. No one else was ever charged in the shooting. McMillan's mother has even stated that she knows Hatcher did not kill her son. At trial in 2000, the DA presented four criminals and an illiterate 20-year old as witnesses. The witnesses convinced a jury to convict Hatcher of McMillan's murder. Hatcher received a life without parole sentence. He died in prison at age 51 in 2009. (Screwed Central) [2/07]