It seems the victim has become uncertain as to one critical detail of the case: whether she was or was not raped. Nifong has gone to ground with a sign on his door reading “No Media Please”. He needs to be prosecuted for what he did to these boys and their lives and their team and their school and their families.
But instead, he’s pressing forward with first degree sexual offense and first degree kidnapping charges.
DURHAM – Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong dismissed part of the rape case against three former Duke University lacrosse players today after the accuser told detectives she wasn’t certain about a critical detail of the alleged attack.
Nifong dropped the charge of first-degree forcible rape against David Evans, 23, of Bethesda, Md.; Collin Finnerty, 20, of Garden City, N.Y.; and Reade Seligmann, 20, of Essex Fells, N.J. All maintain their innocence.
The three are still charged with first-degree sexual offense and first-degree kidnapping.
Nifong dropped the charges at 11:37 a.m.
According to the dismissal form, investigator Linwood Wilson interviewed the accuser on Thursday.
“The victim in this case indicated that, while she initially believed that she had been vaginally penetrated by a male sex organ … she cannot at this time testify with certainty” that it occurred, Nifong wrote. Since such penetration is one of the elements the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt in a prosecution of a charge of first-degree forcible rape, “the State is unable to meet its burden of proof with respect to this offense,†he continued.
If anyone has some feathers handy, I’ll put the tar on to boil.
And the kidnapping and SO charges are based on what witness’ statements? Three guesses.
Good luck with that plan, Nifong.
Hold off on the tar and feathers for now. A real good Caning is in order first for both of them.
Then we will do the tar and feather thing.
Was it in yet?
She couldn’t tell if she was penetrated?
She must be A very experianced whore.
This thing stank from the beginning, and now you have what is unfortunately (for a lot of reasons) the sterotypical rape case.
“This thing stank from the beginning”. Is this a classic double entendre or what?
Were the players all from India?
Either way, I question the timing.
TW: didnt92….or 69…..or any other number, apparently.
Okay. Now where do these men go to get their good names back?
Actually ahem, I don’t think there are many people that think they did anything criminal.
Unforunately, the consequences for stupid (hiring strippers) can be very bad.
The DNA of 5 other guys was found on, in her vagina, anus and panties. Its a shame that such a good girl had to endure this. Poor little angel…..Oh and obviously over the trauma of being gang raped, she got pregnant just weeks after! My heart goes out to that poor girl.
Prosecutors are terrorists.
Nifong should lose his job, and kudos to the head of Duke for calling on Nifong to step down. He no longer has any credibility, his witness has no credibility, and he should drop all charges. The only reason he hasn’t is because (a) he put his rep on the line, and (b) since this thing was orchestrated in a racial manner, to just up and drop all charges is to invite a racial confrontation. Nice job, peckerwood.
BoZ, I was a prosecutor for 5 years.
I would have been embarrased to even authorize charges in something like this, much less act the fool/demagogue/a$$hole like Nifong has. Good State’s Attorny’s Offices investigate before going to grand juries. If the investigation shows the holes that this matter has in large and gaping quantities – you make a terse statement about inability to prove and leave it go.
And good State’s Attorney’s offices can spell “Attorney’s” correctly. Sheesh, I best put the egg nog down.
Eggnog seems to be working fine, Major. Carry on.
I want reparations.
– White Guy
The numbnuts at Duke cancelled the Lacrosse season and disbanded the team, based on their own prejudice and political correctness.
They desrve no kudos for anything to do with this case.
To followup Major John’s comment,
I work in a DA office, and not one of the DDA’s I know and have talked about this case support Nifong. Indeed, even early on my issuing DDA’s sad they’ve turned down cases with even MORE corroberating evidence than this case.
This is the kind of case that makes it a living hell for real rape victims.
I’m not a lawyer (and don’t play one on TV) but this statements caused me to cinch my belt around my head. I would like to know when the investigator knew this information and how long Nif – wrong has been sitting on it. Much like the DNA results that he conspired with the lab to withhold from the defense.
This case would be a laughingstock if three lives and the reputation of an entire university weren’t stuffed into a sewer pipe. That party and how it was constituted was a disgrace to the program and they deserved to take responsibility for their immature actions. However, the socio-political aspects that were spewed at everyone now ring hollow and crass.
I wonder if the good Reverend Jackson will still be paying the “accuser’s” education bill?
Probably depends on whether that’s his baby she’s pregnant with…
Ohhhhh…….Jim beat me to it. Damn!
B-E-A-utiful set-up Tex!