Outer Banks Man Arrested and Released on the Same Day While Awaiting Murder Trial
MANTEO, NORTH CAROLINA — A local man waiting for his first-degree murder trial was detained and then freed in a span of less than two hours last weekend on charges including possession of a controlled substance on jail premises and being intoxicated and disruptive.
The Dare County Sheriff’s Office apprehended 66-year-old Timothy Lee Sauls at 4:38 p.m. on May 18th. His charges include misdemeanor “drunk and disruptive” behavior, misdemeanor “escape from custody or resist arrest,” and felony possession of a controlled substance in a prison or jail, according to the arrest report.
Reported Hang-up and Subsequent Arrest
Residents of the 600 block of Vista Lake Drive, Manteo, reported a disturbance led by an inebriated individual, leading deputies to Sauls. Identification of Sauls led to the discovery of an outstanding warrant tied to a controlled substance charge from another county in North Carolina, revealed Chief Deputy Jeff Deringer.
Sauls was reported to have defied the commands of arresting deputies, thereby delaying and obstructing their duties. Upon being processed at the Dare County Detention Center, “marijuana was found on his person,” leading to a controlled substance felony charge, as stated by Deringer.
He wasn’t immediately aware of the nature of the initial controlled substance charge, or which county the issuance of the warrant originated from.
First-Degree Murder Trial Pending
Meanwhile, Sauls awaits his next court appearance and eventual trial, for the first-degree murder charge tied to the fatal shooting of Chuck Ellis Williams, a 45-year-old Manteo resident. Williams met his demise on December 16, 2019, after being shot in the stomach in the 600 block of Vista Lake Drive, according to a release by the Dare County Sheriff’s Office.
The relationship between Sauls and Williams and the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. Online court records show that Sauls’ secured bond was set at $60,000 on March 2, 2020, relating to the case.
A disposition hearing originally scheduled for April 1st in Dare County Superior Court has been deferred to September 3rd, according to online case info. Plea negotiations have been ongoing since November 2023.
Upcoming Court Proceedings
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Sauls on May 30th at Dare County District Court. District Attorney Jeff Cruden stated Thursday that Sauls’ amended bond from May 20th stands at a $10,000 secured bond as indicated in online court records.
Cruden also mentioned that the court date in September is for administrative setting, as the court will hear pre-trial motions before deciding on a trial date. He expressed hope of bringing the case to trial as soon as possible. However, scheduling conflicts with Sauls’ attorney, Christine Malumphy, who is handling murder cases statewide, have presented difficulties.
Sauls was released on May 18th less than two hours after his arrest, at 6:22 p.m., according to online court records. As this case is ongoing, further details will continue to be reported as they become available.
