Controversial Charlotte lawyer arrested as fugitive on domestic-related charges

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A controversial Charlotte lawyer Channel 9 has told you about for years is in trouble again.

Former Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer, Mecklenburg County sheriff and state lawmaker Nick Mackey was arrested Thursday as a fugitive at his Charlotte home by the U.S. Marshals.

Police in Tennessee have now charged Mackey with aggravated assault with a firearm.

Chattanooga police said he’s been threatening his wife, who filed for divorce about a week ago. Court documents show in June his wife claimed “My vehicle was shot into on two separate days while parked in parking lot and all four tires were slashed.”

Officials said it happened at the Chattanooga apartment complex where she was living at the time. According to court documents, efforts to serve court papers on Mackey were made, but were not successful.

Channel 9′s veteran crime reporter Glenn Counts asked Mackey’s attorneys that since Mackey is an attorney himself wouldn’t be know that he was wanted.

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His attorneys, Thomas Porter and Terry Sherril, said he was not a fugitive.

“He didn’t know. He’s never been served. He’s not running. He’s been living in the same house," his defense team said.

In the paperwork requesting his extradition, Tennessee authorities urged caution saying Mackey is armed and dangerous.

In court documents, his wife said “He has numerous firearms and over 50 guns including two AR-15 firearms.”

Mackey’s bond on the charges is about $21,000. In addition to his domestic issues, Mackey is in trouble with the State Bar, which is accusing him of collecting money from a couple of his clients and not delivering.

Channel 9 has covered Mackey for years.

In 2016, a judge threw out the 30-year prison sentence for one of Mackey’s clients because Mackey allegedly fell asleep during the trial.

In 2007, Mackey was appointed sheriff of Mecklenburg County, but the victory was overturned when it was determined that precincts were organized improperly.

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