NEWS

Sexual offense trial of Wilmington activist, former mayoral candidate Devon Scott delayed, again

Emma Dill
Wilmington StarNews
The trial of Devon Scott, which was initially set to begin on Oct. 25, will be continued to a later date.

The trial of Devon Scott, a former Wilmington mayoral candidate and activist, has been delayed again. 

Scott is charged with a second-degree sexual offense. His trial was set to start Monday, but will be postponed, according to Samantha Dooies, assistant to New Hanover and Pender County District Attorney Ben David, due to his trial not being first on the docket.

The trial date is now scheduled to be heard on Feb. 21.

Scott was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Carolina Regional Fugitive Task Force on July 30, 2020. He was given a $100,000 bond and was later indicted by the grand jury on Nov. 30.

More:Wilmington activist Devon Scott admits to rape, assault of wife

More:Devon Scott charged with ’sexual offense’ against wife

In Wilmington's 2019 mayoral election, Scott ran against incumbent Bill Saffo but narrowly lost the race by about 600 votes. Scott was an activist in Wilmington's Black Lives Matter group, which became more prominent following the death of George Floyd in 2020. 

Devon Scott's former wife, Lauren Scott, told the StarNews in July 2020 that she came forward with allegations of sexual assault after learning of his ongoing activism. Devon Scott is accused of committing a sexual offense against Lauren Scott in 2015.

In a July 2020 interview with the StarNews, Devon Scott admitted to what he called the "assault and rape" of his now estranged wife.

In addition, Devon Scott resigned from the Wilmington Advocacy and Protest Organization (WAPO), which he co-founded in 2020, shortly following the allegations.

Reporter Emma Dill can be reached at 910-343-2096 or edill@gannett.com.