Locklear steps down as Miss UNCP

By Nathan Walls
Editor

After being found guilty of a simple assault charge on Oct. 24 in Robeson County District Court, Aja Locklear stepped down as Miss UNCP on Oct. 27.

Robyn Baker, runner-up, will take over as Miss UNCP.

Chief District Court Judge Stan Carmical found Locklear not guilty of assault with a deadly weapon and injury to personal property.

“The other two charges, assault with a deadly weapon and injury to personal property, both involved one car striking another,” Carmical said. “There wasn’t any evidence that she (Locklear) intended to assault anybody by ramming them with a car and there was no evidence that she intended to damage the other car. I think there was a minor collision, but she wasn’t trying to run anybody down with the car, in my view.”

Carmical found Locklear’s accuser, Victoria Lowry, guilty of stalking.

Locklear sent a letter to Pageant Executive Director and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Diane Jones, informing her of the resignation.

The letter read as follows:

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Miss UNCP for the past 10 months. I have tried my very best to reign in a dignified manner and represent my university with honor.

“As you are aware, I was involved in an incident in September, that in my estimation has cast a negative light on the Miss UNCP organization. This matter was heard in Robeson County District Court this past Friday. While District Court Judge Stan Carmical felt that I had committed the act of simple assault against Victoria Lowry, I was not convicted of that criminal offense…

“However, during the time these matters were pending in court, my studies have suffered and much negative publicity has been cast on the Miss UNCP organization. It will take a great effort for me to academically rebound from this entire affair.

“Additionally, I believe that the focus of the upcoming pageant to determine Miss UNCP 2004 should be on both women competing in January and not on any behavior actually or allegedly engaged in by Miss UNCP 2003. For these reasons, I am resigning my title as Miss UNCP 2003.

“I thank you for the opportunities the Miss UNCP organization has provided me.I apologize for any disrepute brought upon the organization on my account.I congratulate Robyn Baker on her new position and I wish luck to all the contestants in the upcoming pageant.”

Due to Locklear’s resignation, the university was not forced to remove her title.

Baker will wear the crown until the next pageant on Jan. 29.