Columbia Town Alderman Found Not Guilty in Trial

Published 3:17 pm Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Michael Eugene Crowder, 63, of the 700 block of Howard St., Columbia was found not guilty following a August 12 trial earlier this week

Crowder is in his second term as a member of the Columbia Board of Aldermen. He is the Tyrrell County Veterans Service Officer, and serves as a deacon of the Columbia Missionary Baptist Church.

Crowder was arrested May 20 by Elizabeth City Police and charged with misdemeanor sexual battery, according to arrest reports.

A source that attended Crowder’s trial in the District Court of Pasquotank County stated that the case was the result of an alleged incident at the Albemarle Hospital Sleep Center where a technician accused Mr. Crowder of unwanted sexual touching and conversation. Based on the technician’s complaint, Crowder was charged with misdemeanor sexual battery.

Crowder’s testimony was that he had chatted with the technician while he was being wired for the study on various subjects, but nothing sexual in nature was discussed. Of seven potential character witnesses present, the defense called on two to testify for Crowder.
Defense attorney, H.P. Williams produced a photo taken by the technician showing alderman Crowder sitting up in bed covered in leads and wires for the sleep study. It had previously been established that the technician and Mr. Crowder were the only ones in the building at the time.
A reported video record of the event was reported “lost” and had never been shown to the police.

    After closing arguments, the judge presiding over the trial pronounced that the prosecution had failed to make its case and that alderman Crowder was “Not Guilty” of the charge.