Following the acquittal of Mercer County School District Superintendent Tim Farquer of all criminal charges by a judge in a bench trial last week, Mercer County State’s Attorney Grace Waldrup has released a statement to WRMJ.
The statement from Waldrup reads, “While we are disappointed in the Court’s ruling, the State understands that the court system is designed for just that, making decisions when parties cannot come to an agreement. We continue to uphold that a crime was committed in this instance but respect the Court’s decision in their finding. It is the State’s job to uphold transparency and present the court with the facts we have. We will continue to stay steadfast in those expectations and act accordingly.”
Farquer’s charges stemmed from an Aledo Police Department investigation into a complaint from a Mercer County High School nurse accusing district employees of illegally accessing students’ medical records. He was acquitted following a two-day bench trial, where a judge granted his defense’s request for a judgment of acquittal, which says the prosecution did not provide enough evidence for a reasonable judge or jury to find him guilty “even if the prosecution’s evidence is viewed in the most favorable light to the State.”
In a prepared statement after the acquittal, defense attorney Lindsey Lusk said Farquer didn’t commit any crime and called the charges a result of a “biased and deficient” investigation by the Aledo Police Department.
WRMJ reached out to the Aledo Police Department following the acquittal for comment. Our request was returned with a statement via email from a public relations firm in North Carolina, released on behalf of the City of Aledo and the Aledo Police Department: “The City of Aledo and the Aledo Police Department abide by the Court’s determination in this matter. Questions regarding Mr. Farquer’s employment status should be referred to Mercer County School District #404. All other matters can be referred to the Mercer County State’s Attorney’s Office.”
Farquer has been on paid administrative leave since his arrest. WRMJ has not received a response from the Mercer County School District regarding Farquer’s employment status with the district. His contract runs through the 2026-27 school year.