(DURHAM) -- Durham County District Attorney Tracey Cline was removed from office Friday by Judge Robert Hobgood. Interim DA Leon Stanback said those who worked with Cline are sad to hear of her fate.

"A lot of the staff are very close to Tracey," Stanback said. "So I think they need some time to heal."

Cline's attorney has already filed an appeal in the case. Depending on how long it would take the resolve the appeal, a special election could be held this fall to fill the remaining two years of Cline's term. In the meantime, the ruling means that she forfeits her annual salary of just under $120,000.