Newsweek nicely summarizes how the Duke lacrosse rape has been imploding upon itself as the discovery process allows defense lawyers to analyze the evidence that the prosecution says form the basis of its case. District Attorney Michael Nifong is sticking to his guns, even as case crumbles around him. To call the conclusions initially proudly trumpeted by District Attorney Michael Nifong deeply flawed is to understate the level of misconduct that is slowly coming to light.
Asked for an interview last week by NEWSWEEK, Nifong declined, but sent an angry e-mail accusing the national media of getting spun by defense lawyers and sticking to his earlier comments to the press. “None of the ‘facts’ I know at this time, indeed, none of the evidence I have seen from any source, has changed the opinion that I expressed initially,” he wrote. He lashed out at “media speculation” (adding, “and it is even worse on the blogs”). He said that he was bound by ethics rules against commenting any more about the case or evidence.
Oh really?
At this point, even viewed in a light most favorable to the prosecution, it’s just not possible to piece together all of the publicly available evidence in a manner which even supports the contention that a crime was committed, let alone that the three young men charged were involved. The Newsweek article indicates that that the alleged victim may just stop cooperating.
It is not certain that the accuser will go forward with the case. Ten years ago she claimed she had been raped three years earlier by three men, but her father told reporters that the rape never happened, and she never followed through with the authorities. The father has been supportive of her this time around, but he told yet another version of what happened – that the Duke players used a broom handle. Recently, he has said that his daughter is struggling with her “nerves” and may not be up to testifying in a trial. According to their lawyer, Mark Simeon, the accuser’s parents have not heard from their daughter for weeks and are very concerned.
If that comes to pass, as seems increasingly likely, the focus will turn to the conduct of Nifong; in which case things will really get interesting.
Take a look at the rest of the Newsweek story or check out two posts at The Johnsonville News (June 17 and June 15) [Note – Though we are well aware of the alleged victims identity, we are not publicizing it. The Johnsonville News is.] to see how the conduct of the lead detective and the DA have become the story. They were talking earlier, and their statements (or more accurately misstatements) are a major part of the story.
A prominent Duke law professor, James Coleman, last week called on Nifong to remove himself from the case and appoint a special prosecutor. “Either he knew what the facts were and misstated them, or he was making them up,” Coleman told reporters. “Whether he acted knowing they were false, or if he was reckless, it doesn’t matter in the long run. This is the kind of stuff that causes the public to lose confidence in the justice system.”
Coleman seems to have hit upon the problems noted in a defense filling [PDF], and the aforementioned Johnsonville News posts, in that Nifong was professing to have read medial records that don’t appear to have been retrieved (via subpoena) until well after his statements were made.
The rape case may have collapsed, but that case against Nifong is just getting started…
He asked for the $400k bond originally.
And here is the report from local paper on the hearing which didn’t go well for Nifong, especially since he had to produce more docs that shows he has even less of a case–note the additional story the accuser tells–
“DURHAM – District Attorney Mike Nifong on Thursday handed more than 536 pages of rape-case evidence, and a defense lawyer immediately said the new material casts more doubt on the charges against three Duke University lacrosse players.
Lawyer Joseph B. Cheshire V said after a court hearing that the documents, which bring the evidence divulged by Nifong to a total of 1,814 pages, contain a reference to the accuser saying she was raped by five people. Defense motions have pointed out that the woman has given different accounts of how many men she said raped her after an escort service sent her to dance at a March 13 team party.
“We’ve got none, we’ve got three, we’ve got five, we’ve got 20. I mean, pick a number — any number you want to pick,” Cheshire told reporters outside the courtroom. “She’s told so many different stories I’m not sure how many there are.”
Defense lawyers have declined News & Observer requests for copies of the evidence, and Cheshire did not make them available Thursday. An investigator in Nifong’s office called into question Cheshire’s claims Thursday.
When Cheshire told reporters that the woman claimed five people attacked her, investigator Linwood Wilson asked Cheshire to show him that page in the evidence.
“You’re welcome to come get it,” Cheshire said.
“Yeah, I’d love to see it,” Wilson said.
Wilson walked away, and Cheshire continued talking with reporters.
Cheshire said half or three-quarters of the pages are copies of information already provided. But the new pages refer to a previously unknown police lineup — the second in which the accuser could not identify a team captain charged in the case as one of her attackers, Cheshire said”
Later, Mr. Cheshire faxed the DA “investigator” with the document that the DA had produced but apparently the investigator didn’t read! They’re some real legal eagels over there, huh?
I don’t see the “Cheshire cat” making a b-line to file any motions, they’ll tell you anything and you just suck it up like air. You say, “yes, yes Mr Cheshire cat, I believe you, I believe you”… don’t be so gullible! Face it, this is not going away.
The stripper sooo lied. She’s going to jail!
First she says she was raped by 20 men, then by five men, then by three men after a frustrated police officer told her to “pick a number!”
First she didn’t say she was raped, then after being arrested she said she was raped, then she claimed the 2nd stripper helped with the rape and robbed her, and now she claims that the second stripper was separated from her, but the second stripper stated they were separated for less than 5 minutes.
First she denied being raped, then she said she was only vaginally raped, then she said she was beaten, choked, and kicked after being dragged into the bathroom by three players, but the medical reports stated that there was only mild vaginal swelling and small scraped on her knee and ankle. No signs of a beating.
First the stripper said she didn’t have sex for over a week, then she confessed that she had sex with her boyfriend, a vaginal sex toy at the party before the Duke party, with the two guys who drove her to the Duke party, and a “client” the day before. This women was dripping with DNA, non of which was from the boys.
“If Mike Nifong doesn’t get disbarred after this, then there really is a corrupt system in Durham that protects rich white guys. In Nifong’s case – stupid rich white guys with transparent political agendas.”
He won’t get disbarred…”you just wish” ain’t gonna happen. Why don’t you come watch him at trial? And BTW, she is soooo NOT going to jail because a person has to be charged with a crime first and then convicted. That’s not happening either…. wrong AGAIN Betty… “you lose”
Unfortunately, Justice58, you have already lost and don’t realize it. On many different levels and many different ways.
You just don’t get it.
Mitchell
You and BF are on the same sinking ship and it’s crazy because you both refuse to get off. Well then…. drown!!
I would tell justice58 to check the hole in her own ship, but it’s hard to check for leaks when your ship is twenty feet under water.
Her ship, the S.S. Nifong, sank just out of dock.
The S.S. Nifong is a total loss and there’s no way to salvage it. The only thing remaining are the rats still making noise(justice58) and two wet strippers wading around for dollar bills.
Justice58 followed me from this blog where she attacked me.
http://cornell.elliottback.com/archives/2006/04/19/duke-rape-scandal/
You should check this blog out, justice58’s antics are quite humorous.
Here’s an example.
justice58 said “Listen Stef and the THING disguising herself as Betty Friedan…. I swear, when I see BF’s name on a blog, I really see the DEVIL himself and I hate him dearly.”
I responded : LOL! When I see justice58’s name on a blog, I think of a two monkeys in a small ccage jumping and screaming over a grape.
But then again, two monkeys fighting over a grape makes more sense than justice58 insisting that a rape occurred just because a drunken stripper/hooker-with-a-substance-abuse-problem,-a-long-criminal-history,-and-pattern-of-making-false-accusations-of-rape-and-kidnapping said so.
Justice58: “Both of you is just so nasty.”
Mitchell: Yes, we is, sista. Yes we is. . . .
**** LOL! LOL! I can’t almost type!!! LOL!
Justice58 says: Sorry about the spelling… In a hurry, I have to study for an exam. June 22, 2006 05:29 PM
You should go back and study, it seemsyou have a very difficult time comprehending facts.
Betty Friedan
I have no problem comprehending that Mike Nifong will win this case and you know it also, that’s why you chase down every blog trying to convince others to your thinking. SORRY… You are still a LOSER. Don’t worry about my exam… You should get a little education yourself… WAIT…You can’t, because you just had a PREFRONTAL LOBOTOMY. Therapy won’t even help you now.
J58 – for a little while, I thought that you might be becoming reasonable. Having read your posts on another blog, I see that is not the case.
Please answer me this: If you could choose any of the following four as the true event and eventual outcome, which would it be?
A) Mangum telling the truth, lacrosse players found guilty,
B) Mangum telling the truth, lacrosse players acquitted,
C) Mangum lying, lacrosse players found guilty,
D) Mangum lying, lacrosse players acquitted.
Please choose the scenario and outcome that you honestly hope is true.
Sundance
What is your reasoning for this question??
No reasoning, assuming the “right” three lacrosse players were identified and the case goes to trial (which it most likely will, since Nifong controls the process and he has painted himself into a corner), these are the only possibilities. I just would like to know what your underlying hopes for the case are.
BTW, how did the exams go? Awfully late in June for finals, isn’t it? Mine were usually over by the 1st week in June at the latest, sometimes in May.
Sundance
In response to the exam question…It’s summer session 1 my dear and I made 96, 92, 91 and summer session 11 will start July 7th. Are there any other things you would like to know??
A is the answer and you shouldn’t be posting her name on the internet because that’s not right! what if that were your mom, sister, aunt that was rape. You wouldn’t like that, otherwise you’d be a lowdown, dirty, vile person…or… ARE YOU???
J58 – first, congratulations on the scores! 3 courses for a summer session is a tough load. You must be a study animal, a good student, or both.
Secondly, thank you for your honest answer. I suggest, however, that you take a sabbatical, go sit in a corner or a cave in Tibet, and reflect on your values, the person you are, and the person you want to be, and here’s why:
In event/outcomes B & C, an injustice would occur. Either a crime was committed and no justice was meted or innocent people were unjustly punished. Neither is fair and an innocent person(s) would suffer without justice.
You chose event/outcome A. Justice would be served on criminals, which is good. But, do you realize that you are actually HOPING that this woman was brutally beaten and violently assaulted multiple times? This person who you claim to love and support as a beautiful woman? Is this really what you want? Is this what you would want your friends to hope for if you were in her position?
In event/outcome D, no one would be brutally assaulted and violated and no one would be unjustly punished. Yes, both parties would suffer some residual negative effects, but this is the event/outcome with the least amount of injury and undue suffering on any and all parties and the only option that a genuine, fair and caring person should hope for.
Lastly, her name is not a secret. Anyone who wants to know can readily find it anywhere on the internet. Mostly, though, I don’t subscribe to the rape shield one-sided “protection”. In this country, the accused are innocent until proven guilty. They have not been proven guilty, thus they are innocent at this time. Yet, their names, families, finances, etc. have been widely published. Even if eventually proven innocent, they will have suffered the injustice of being labelled as rapists, thugs, hooligans, etc. Even if proven innocent, the stigma and a certain amount of doubt will always follow them. A true victim of rape evokes sympathy, because they have suffered a crime and injustice through no fault of their own. My position is either air both the accused and alleged victim’s names, or neither.
Listen Sundance
Think whatever you want because I certainly can’t stop you. I believe a rape occured and you don’t. I can’t hope for something that has already happened. BTW, one exam was a make-up exam and the other two were finals. I only had a two course load but it was still very draining. I do get a few days break and then it’s back to burning the midnight oil.. again. (whewwwwwwwww)
justice58 we all know you “believe” a rape occurred, in spite of all the facts and evidence that proves otherwise.
In fact, the only “evidence” that a rape actually happened, is the claim of the stripper/hooker who created the rape-lie to get out of being arrested and having her probation revoked.
And about your exams, I really don’t care about your exams. It doesn’t seem important to you, so why should it be important to me?
Yet I find it strange that you have “finals” since college has been out of session for weeks and summer sessions only began.
Do you find the college unusually empty? Do you find yourself sitting in an empty room? Are you sure you’re in college, or do you just “believe” that you’re in college, just like you “believe” a rape occurred?
Dear justice58, Crystal Gail Mangum isn’t a rape victim, she victimized 47 innocent boys by first robbing them, and then gang-false-raping them
The Crystal Gail Mangum’s father said that his daughter’s face as beaten and swollen, but medical reports stated that Crystal Gail Mangum only had a minor scratch on her knee and another n her ankle. Seems like Mr. Mangum has a problem with telling the truth as well.
The Crystal Gail Mangum’s father said she was raped by a broom stick, but the Crystal Gail Mangum never mentioned a being raped by a broom stick in any of her twelve different stories she told the investigators.
The Crystal Gail Mangum’s ex-husband stated that he believes that Crystal Gail Mangum didn’t lie about being kidnapped and raped, but then claimed that Crystal Gail Mangum made a false claim of kidnapping in 1998.
The Crystal Gail Mangum made a similarly suspicious claim against three boys in 1996, was dishonorably discharged from the Navy, had a child from another man while married to her ex-husband, arrested for grand larceny and attempting to kill a police officer in 2002, finally was found intoxicated and was arrested until she cried rape. It took 6 line-ups for the stripper/hooker to innocent boys to be her Duke Lacrosse rapists out of a photo lineup of only Duke Lacrosse players, she claimed she didn’t have sex with anyone for over a week, but later confessed to having sex with a “client” the night before, her boyfriend earlier that evening, a battery vaginal sex toy at the party before the Duke party, and the two guys driving her to the Duke party.
On the night she created the false-rape claim, Crystal Gail Mangum’s was dripping with DNA evidence, none of which is linked to the innocent Duke lacrosse boys.
P.S. And the only way I would believe that you would score >90% on any exam is if you attended a “special” college for “special people”.
What’s “special people?” You claim to score in the 90th percentile, so you figure it out.
Betty
You can stick it up your…..
The victim was robbed by the dukies… she said, they raped her and then took her money which LE found at the resident.
Frankly BF
you need a broom shoved up your……….
No no justice, she said THE OTHER STRIPPER STOLE HER MONEY. Much like the accuser, you don’t have your stories straight. The dukies didn’t rob her. Nice try though
I just found this blog, and it’s interesting, but what’s up with the psycho “justice58”? Justice58 is either a nasty 12 year old or a raving idiot.
Sundance, Betty, and Stef make perfect sense. The stripper seemed to have been lying from the beginning and the evidence proves it. Gys should have protection from false accusers of rape. I hope people get sued big. The DA needs to be hanged by the balls from the closest tree
So do you David!! Not only that but a broom shoved up yours to the hilt… Got that!!
One more thing…when blacks stand up for themselves….they are labeled raving idiots or trouble makers. I know your kind (David) but people like you are not going to silence my voice. Yes, we are standing with the victim of this horrible crime with one mighty voice and we will not stop until justice is served. You or no one else will intimidate us. We are waaaaaaaaaay past that point baby, and that is the reason you and others are scared. Chew on that for a minute.!!
God justice it’s not when blacks stand up for themselves, it’s when PEOPLE MAKE FALSE ACCUSATIONS OF RAPE OTHERS TEND TO LOOK DOWN UPO THEM. No one gives a fuck if this lady is black, everyone sees the evidence that is available that makes it very predictable that this woman is lying. Don’t you get it?
And you didn’t comment about the 2nd stripper stealing her money. Avoiding the fact that she claimed 27 different stories that night?
And if you want to talk about draining, try taking 17 credits a semester, double majoring in English and broadcast journalism, while volunteering at planned parenthood 4 days a week and big brothers/big sisters 2 days a week, while studying for your LSATS, 4 finals, and writing 4 papers, 2 10 pages long, 1 15 pages long, and 1 5 pages long. Then, after you graduate with 122 credits in 4 years and a degree that says you double majored, try applying to some of the best law schools in the country with a 174 LSAT exam and a 3.5 gpa (my top choices were Notre Dame, NYU, Fordham, and Georgetown…I ended up at NYU/Stern) and planning your life around another 3 educations.
WHEW! Talk about burning the midnight oil, but yeah your 3 exams, 2 of which were finals and 2 courses sound absolutely overwhelming, I don’t know how you do it! My god! You must be wonder woman.
Listen
Yes, dumb ass, it is a full load when you have school, children,husband, and a home to care for everyday, which includes cooking a d*mn good home cooked meal everyday and taking care of the needs of others. B*tch that’s a lot. And I still maintained a GPA of 3.5
So don’t come here throwing your little sh*t at me. You have no one but yourself to care for.
I also volunteer to go shopping for 2 old people that live next door to me….SIMPLY… because I like them and have respect for old people.(who happens to be white)
I have no one else to take care of? My boyfriend plays baseball for the Yankees, I spend every dollar I make on 2 things: rent for my apartment, and traveling to be with my boyfriend. You have the pleasure of having those that you love near you, in the same house. I am constantly traveling to see those I love.
I cook for myself nightly as well. I never considered cooking “overwhelming”, but I mean, to each their own. I’ve cooked meals for my 3 room mates before.
Congrats, you are nice to white people. Would you like a medal? Perhaps a monument? I volunteer with black children daily. What’s your point?
And Justice, looking back over past posts on this, I find it funny that in someone making fun of you for your poor sentence structure when you said “you is just both so nasty”, and people coming back at you saying “we is sista, we is”, you suddenly turned it on them and say “i thought you had better education than that” in reference to the grammatical mistake, when YOU were the one who made the mistake and other people are simply picking up on it and trying to show you your mistake. You are too dense to realize they were making fun of the fact you are illiterate and can’t form a sentence with the correct tenses.
By sundance responding “we is sista, we is”, she is pointing out the error you made in assuming “IS” would pertain to more than one person.
“You both ARE just so nasty” would be the correct way of saying it. IS refers to the singular, and since “BOTH” refers to mroe than one, or plural, it would be ARE, not IS.
And you comment on other people’s education? How do you pass written exams? Do you have your children do them for you? What college do you go to?
And where the hell is the North Carolina State Bar in all of this? In most states the Bar has an interest in maintaining the integrity of their profession. Evidently, the North Carolina State Bar is not at all interested in reigning in one a rogue prosecutor despite numerous (17 at last count) unanswered formal complaints, not just in this case but in others as well. As a result of their malfeasance this story which should’ve been dead from day one is like the Energizer Bunny: will just keep on going and going and…What a shame that the once great state of North Carolina will be dragged through the mud ad infinitum.
Ah, the crazy ranting lady justice58… you were wrong. so wrong you should be forbidden to raise children.