Judge refuses Wright's request

A Wake County judge Thursday refused to block the General Assembly from hearing ethics charges against state Rep. Thomas Wright next week and potentially expelling him from the House of Representatives.

Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway refused Wright's request for a temporary restraining order against the special House committee hearing the ethics case, Mark Johnson reports.

The judge ruled that it would be an "encroachment" and "intrusion" for the court to interfere with the House's disciplining of one of its own members.

"The court must presume the folks on Jones Street (the Legislative Building) are fully capable of doing their job in accordance with the law," Ridgeway said from the bench.

Wright's lawyer, N.C. Central law professor Irv Joyner, said he and Wright will consider an appeal. Rep. Rick Glazier, co-chair of the special House committee, said the judge gave the request "full and fair consideration."