Allegations of Conflict of Interest
In a sworn statement filed in December 2025, Fenner alleged that DA Ted Bell has intentionally hindered the prosecution to avoid upsetting the church’s influential voting bloc ahead of the 2026 election.
Fenner’s specific allegations include:
Scheduling Conflicts: Fenner claims Bell scheduled a retrial for church leader Brooke Covington during a week when Fenner had critical medical residency interviews and refused to grant a delay.
Lack of Investigation: The petition alleges that Bell stopped communicating with Fenner and refused to interview new witnesses or review new evidence.
Pressure to Drop Charges: Fenner alleges the District Attorney asked him to drop the case entirely.
"If the Court does not intervene and remove Bell from this case, the trial will be lost before it begins," Fenner’s attorney wrote in court papers.
The District Attorney’s Response
District Attorney Ted Bell has formally denied all allegations of misconduct. In a written statement, Bell called the claims "false" and stated he would address them in detail during court proceedings.
"I remain committed to fulfilling my duties with integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering dedication to justice," Bell said.
A Decade of Legal Delays
The case centers on a 2013 incident where Fenner alleges he was held down and choked for two hours during a church practice known as "blasting"—a high-decibel prayer session intended to "expel demons."
The legal timeline has been marked by repeated setbacks:
2014: Five church members were indicted for kidnapping and assault.
2017: The first trial for Brooke Covington ended in a mistrial after a juror brought outside research into the jury room.
2017-2025: Appeals, attorney health issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, and change of counsel have stalled the retrial for over eight years.
What’s Next?
A Superior Court judge will now decide whether to remove Bell from the case. If the motion is granted, the North Carolina Attorney General’s office would take over the prosecution. If denied, the trial will proceed under the current District Attorney’s office.
WNCTimes