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posted by FODU @ 5/30/2006 11:56:00 AM
122 comments
Friends of Duke University
This is a discussion board for the friends of Duke University. At the moment, our focus is on the Duke Lacrosse Scandal. Our discussion board is not affiliated with any organization. All posts will be moderated. The moderator has the right to remove comments deemed inappropriate. Above all, your posts should reflect love and respect for Duke University. You may contact us at: FODU
122 Comments:
I am really glad that you set this up. We needed a place where we can freely express our views on this Duke Lacrosse case. I personally feel that the Duke University let these kids down in a major way. They need our support and more importantly they need to know that we trust them and beleive they are telling the truth.
I posted on the Duke Cronicle many messages over the past few days. All of my messages, including some that I later regretted writing got published. Interestingly, two of my posts which were trying to provide some support and sytmpathy to the Duke Lacrosse team did not get published. I suppose the editors of the Chronicle decided that we do not have the right to say anything positive about these kids. I am really mad at the school and the Chronicle editors for their handling of this situation. It is a disgrace...
Yes, I was reading the interview that one of the Duke players granted to ABC yesterday. I cried reading it. This is such a heart breaking story. We, all of us, let these kids down. After the facts come out and it is proven beyond and doubt that the stripper is the lier, not the 47 players, I hope we will be able to gain the confidence of these kids again. However, I worry that their lives will never be the same again.
Yes, I was reading the interview that one of the Duke players granted to ABC yesterday. I cried reading it. This is such a heart breaking story. We, all of us, let these kids down. After the facts come out and it is proven beyond and doubt that the stripper is the lier, not the 47 players, I hope we will be able to gain the confidence of these kids again. However, I worry that their lives will never be the same again.
Thank you for setting this up. We really need to get some steam out. I am looking forward to hearing the comments of some other parents on this issue. Do they also feel as bad as I do, or am I the only one so upset about this whole ordeal?
My first question is whatever happened to the high-powered attorney (Bill Bennett) that the families and friends of the players hired? Has he done anything yet? If his goal was to stop Duke’s name from getting damaged, I don’t see how he will do that. The damage is already done. How is he going to undo that? If he has not done anything yet, what is he waiting for? I wish we could get more information from the people who are closer to the players and the defense lawyers.
Duke Parent 2
the thing that is so upsetting to me is the way pressler was treated. he never was given a chance and is not their father. how much can a coach be responsible for kids after practice is over. i hope he sues duke for millions. he deserves it.
I am going to worry about Pressler later. Right now, I am so upset thinking about the future of these kids and what the members of the entire team is going through. I think what happened to the coach is pretty bad too. But at least he is not 20 or 22 years old. He can probably take it a little easier. I am just devestated for the kids. I pray for them non-stop. God help us, to get out on these dark days. God help the "truth" to come out.
What statistics are there available that shows the possibility of an act of forcible gang rape by a group of white, educated men against a black woman, any black woman?
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/cvus/current/cv0342.pdf
Statistically speaking ZERO white males, educated white men or not, rape black females according to the 2003 Department of Justice report linked above.
USA Today did a 12 year study of sexual assaults committed by high school, college and professional athletes and there was not one case of a forceable gang rape. A couple of false accusations but not one actual case.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2003-12-22-athletes-assault-side_x.htm
When I speak in support of the accused I am called names, I am a racist, a woman hater, a rapist. I am not defending the accused when I speak up for them, I am defending justice.
What has happened in this event is unjust. Did the rape happen? Statistically speaking it didn't.
And if anyone is asking me to take the word of a woman that makes her living, supporting her children, by being an escort and stripper, has admitted mental illness, has previously accused three other men of beating and raping her only to back down after filing a police report, if you are asking me to believe her over statistics, over the factual evidence released so far, to believe her over my own common sense then I'm sorry I can't do that.
The sooner this goes to trial the better. Nifong is talking about the trial date being Spring of 07. Why the delay? Why not try them now!?!?!
From the previous post: The sooner this goes to trial the better. Nifong is talking about the trial date being Spring of 07. Why the delay? Why not try them now!?!?!
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I suppose Nifong wants to wait so that people forget all the lies he has been telling. That is the only reason I can think of. I too wish for the sake of all involved that the trial would take place as soon as possible. But, we will have to wait and see. It seems Nifong is now running the World and he likes it that way.
Could a rally be formed in suppport of these young men? I am so tired of all the groups televised yelling,"Guilty, guilty, guilty."
Could there be some event that the media could televise to show how many of us think these kids have been framed?
I have never marched in my life-- but now I have a cause. Justice.
Duke Mom
To the previous poster: We all have those desires (i.e. to show our support in one way or another). However, we need to give the Duke University a few days to try to redeem themselves (in light of all the mounting evidence in favor of the players). If we see that the university is not moving in the right direction, we will have to come up with some ideas. Whether it will be in the form of a rally, or not, is hard to tell. But, surely we will not sit idle as these kids get crucified for a crime they did not commit.
Would there be people willing to demand publicly the monies lost to the suspended LAX players be returned if they are exonerated?
I am worried about May 15th, the graduation day. There may be a third indictment that day. Furthermore, the results of the second round of DNA test may come back. This year's graduation ceremony will not be a happy event. How can it be, when there are so many people in so much pain? I know I will not enjoy it. In the whole scheme of things the graduation day seems terribly unimportant.
Duke 2008
Graduation is May 14, Mother's Day. Not a happy day for some mothers, I'm afraid. I guess Even Nifong had a mother so he'll wait to drop his latest bombshell until Monday, May 15. But, he may not have much so keep the faith.
I hope you are right and Nifong does not indict a third innocent kid on the 14th.
I wish we could do something at the end of the Graduation ceremony (no matter how symbolic) to show our disapproval of Duke's handling of this case and also to show our deep support to the Duke Lacrosse players. I do not have anything fancy in mind. Just a bunch of us getting together and holding hands in silence for a few minutes. Perhaps, we could do this in front of the Chapel. If it is an impromptu event, we will not have to get permits and such. So, although not be hard-hitting act, it will at least demonstrate our commitment to this cause. What do you think? Are there others who share this opinion?
If people want to use the graduation weekend to communicate their support for the LAX team and the feeling that they have been treated unfairly then maybe the organizer of this very helpful site could arrange with someone who will attend to put up a poster somewhere where it will be seen on campus (there are several official bulletin boards and someone could ask the school where such postings are permitted).
The banner could simply indicate that if you think the team is being treated unfairly, access the Friends of Duke Lacrosse website to discuss what we can do about it and to let the families know that many people think justice is not being done. I strongly discourage being directly critical of the school or the president because I think you may alienate many people who essentially agree that these guys have been treated badly but who still generally support the school. I think finding more people who feel strongly about this will be helpful in really making a difference.
As far as staging some media opportunity, while it appeals to me to get a chance to put a different view out there, this situation has been a media circus all the way through and I have a hard time believing that more media will bring about any good. The media could just manipulate our good intentions to make it sound as negative as possible and it may even backfire on the accused in some unexpected way. The students also deserve to enjoy the day and celebrate their accomplishments. Let's not forget that this is still a great school. It is bigger than the decisions made by a few people in a time of crisis.
I fully support our making our feelings and even dissatisfaction known to the current administration, but my love for Duke is not changed.
To the poster above: Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I will point this out to the moderator and see what can be done about the poster idea. It will be good to get a few posters placed on campus before the graduation ceremonies (but I am not sure if it will be possible to do). Your idea of toning down any direct criticism of the school makes sense as well. We do not want to alienate anyone who loves Duke. After all, we are doing this for the love of Duke. We will all need to be careful with our messages. I will ask the moderator to review of all of the posts and perhaps do a clean-up job if we find some offensive remarks.
Even if we are not able to place posters around the campus for some type of a “show of support for the Lax Players”, I am hoping a lot of people will wear their Duke Lacrosse t-shirts and come join us in front of the Chapel (after the graduation ceremonies are over). We can all hold hands (perhaps we can form a circle) and observe a few minutes of silence to show our concern about the case and our support of the Lax players.
A good angle for such a show could be to use the slogan "innocent until proven guilty". Nobody can disagree with that statement (at least, not openly!). Perhaps, we can even make a big banner with those words on it, and hold it as we proceed to the Chapel. Then, we can place the banner on the ground and form the circle holding hands. If there are many people, we may have form more than one circle (one inside the other; and so on). Then, we stand silently, hand-hand-in, for couple of minutes and dissolve. This will not cause much disruption and it is simple enough to implement.
Duke 2008
One more thing: we will need to give a specific time to those planning to participate. Does anyone know when the commencement ceremonies end? We should do this after the ceremonies so as to not disrupt anything else (but before people start leaving the campus). If you are familiar with the agenda of the day, please make some suggestions.
Duke 2008
I like the "Innocent Until Proven Guilty" idea. That is exactly the point and you are right that it is not possible to make a credible argument against that premise. I think it really communicates the right message. On this topic, a Gallup poll released today worried me because more people indicated that they think the accused are guilty than I would have thought. If these guys really are innocent as we fear, then they really have already suffered a tremendous harm in that so many assume they are guilty. I hope the truth comes out and that people will pay attention when it does.
Amen! It is sad to see how so many people actually prefer that there was a rape instead of entertaining the possibility of a lie. A simple lie does not seem that interesting to most people, but a brutal rape? Yea, they seem more interested in that. How horrible…
It is because of this wrong perception that we have to do all we can, and show the world that we disagree. A little show of support after the graduation ceremony is not a bad idea. Let us hope we can get our act together and, however small, we are able to do something. My heart goes out to the players involved and their families. What a tragedy they are living…
Alert - Alert - Nifong Attack!
I just heard on Abrams Report (MSNBC) that DA Nifong is pressing charges against one of the Duke Lacrosse team captains: senior Dave Evans. His crime is an open can of beer found in the back of his car, last year, for which he was placed on probation. This act shows how pathetic and desperate the DA is. He is proving the world how low he can get. I hope this is an indication of how hopeless his case is. Apparently, he will charge 6 more players with similar things. So, here we go again! 7 more families disgraced and their lives messed up.
Let us brace ourselves for the 15th when the grand jury reconvenes. I hope there will not be any heart breaking news coming out on that day. I don’t know if I can take it any more.
If anything comes out of the grand jury on May 15, you must take it and remain strong. Our dismay and pain is nothing compared to that of the wrongly accused players and their parents. Hold you head up high and believe that the truth will prevail. And my favorite comment to anyone trying to disparage my school, "You couldn't get into Duke on a bus!" Old, tried but true. Don't let the b******s get you down!
I am dreaming of the day when this nightmare will be over and I will be able go and watch a Lacrosse game. I will never miss a single game until I graduate (luckily that is some way away). Furthermore, I will force all my friends to come with me. I just hope that Duke Lacrosse will be better than ever before.
I was so sad when I watched the Maryland Virginia game on TV (the ACC championship). Duke should have been there and it would have; it was not for this mess. For now, I am hopeful that all will end well. Let us have some faith in the justice system. The truth should come out (if we forget about the whole OJ thing).
Duke 2008
Last night, I heard on the "Cosby Live and Direct" that the accuser first reported to the police she was raped by 20 men. Then, after changing the story many times, she settled with the number 3 (3 seems to be her favorite number). If this report is true, I think we may begin to see the end of this crisis. Why didn't we hear about this earlier? Incidentally, the Duke Chronicle chose to completely ignore this aspect the story and put the emphasis on how the administration was "too slow" in responding. Where are those guys; in Mars? They seem to be the bigger enemy of Duke than outsiders; shame on them...
Yesterday afternoon, I read a new article in the Duke Chronicle. The article reported that according to a committee report (the committee was led by two former Princeton and NCCU presidents) Duke was “too slow” in responding to the Lacrosse scandal. There was no mention that Duke Administration said “the accuser’s story was changing by the hour and that Durham police did not think she was credible”. These facts were completely ignored.
This morning, I see that yesterday’s very partial/biased article has been removed from the Chronicle and replaced with a new one (written by a different author). The new report touches a bit more on the justification made by Duke for their slow pace. Interestingly, an excerpt has been added in the replacement article which specifically congratulates Brodhead for doing a very good job. Apparently the committee thought the University’s response was too slow and inadequate but that Brodhead has done a very good job. I find this obvious politics going on by the Chronicle quite disturbing. They should just report the good and the bad without taking any sides. Isn’t this the definition of journalism?
I am now wondering. First, was yesterday’s article replaced with the new one to add the sentence congratulating Brodhead? Is Brodhead by any chance editing these articles? Secondly, today we are seeing on TV that the guts of this latest development is not the slow pace of the Duke response but the dramatic changes in the accuser’s allegations in those early days. How come the Chronicle did not report any of this in yesterday's article and they are mentioning it ever so briefly today while they are devoting a whole paragraph for the kudos to the President?
It seems to me that Dr. Brodhead is more concerned with how he is perceived by others in academia and in the black community of Durham than he is with seeking fairness for his students at Duke. There is an awful lot of emphasis put now on forging bonds and liasons with NCCU. Why? -I am not even certain that this accuser was a regular student there, and what's more NCCU is the university that should be apologetic to Duke, not vice-a-versa. Not once have I seen anyone from that university even show the slightest remorse at what Duke has gone through. Surely, someone over there must harbor a doubt about the accuser's story? Didn't the accuser have a nervous breakdown while attending Durham Tech last year? Should we now establish a Robertson -type scholarship for a student who attends both Durham Tech and Duke?
Why is Duke self-flagellating? Why are we offering these lacrosse boys up on the scaffold of political correctness? What deity of social consciousness are we trying to appease by allowing these lambs to be taken to slaughter?
Has the English professor, Baker, not read The Crucible, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Emperor's New Clothes? And what is behind Nyfong's vendetta? What is his background? His wife's? There has got to be a hidden agenda here for his risking malfeasance. There has got to be some reason for his errant behavior. Is he of sound mind? I am not being facetious.
He could not be this corrupt nor this crazy without other colleagues knowing it. Governor Easely appointed him. Could this guy, Nyfong, have had some sort of medical issue that has made him "lose it"? I do not beleive he is functioning with a full deck. I am serious.
I have a different theory than what is suggested in the previous post. I think Nifong is a “fanatic left wing” democrat (not a normal one). He may be under the assumption that these guys (or, at least their families) are republican. After all, don't richer people tend to be republican? I think, he is trying to punish these guys (and having a lot of pleasure doing it) because of his political affiliation. This also explains why he was on the phone with the NBPP for two hours. Maybe the members of NBPP were in Durham two days before the DA elections to assist with the elections (and there are many things they could have done, providing transportation, etc.). Perhaps, Nifong promised Shabaz that he will see to it that these guys are lynched regardless of what.
I think the Justice department should step in and end this tragedy. If DAs are supposed to be rational people, what difference will it make who prosecutes this case? Why should it be Nifong? Hasn’t he showed in every possible way that he hates Duke and the Lacrosse players? Who can honestly say that Nifong is an unbiased DA? Perhaps, we should start writing letters to the General Attorney in Washington or start marching in front of his office. Bush administration was quick in jumping to the Schivo case, why aren't they jumping on this one where it actually makes sense and where their involvement will do some good. Oh! I forgot... the black lobby... I suppose, now the lives of these kids is in the hands of the lobbyists. Here is American justice for you.
Two hours on the phone with the NBPP? And not two minutes with the defense lawyers to review the photos and time line? Or two minutes with the Creedmoor police to go over the old false rape charges, or two minutes with the DPD discussing the twenty rapists she originally claimed attacked her? You bet I will write to the Department of Justice. Does any one have a name or regional authority we can address letters to?
We need to do some research on who to contact? Any lawyers out there?
To the poster above: I came up with the following address. I do not know if it will do any good, but if anyone wants to write a letter to these people here it is. Perhaps, we can explain why we think justice is not being served in this case, and how the Lacrosse players are being discriminated against because of their race. There is a lot of evidence here pointing to “reverse-discrimination”.
Address:
Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Complaints
Office of the Inspector General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Room 4706
Washington, D.C. 20530
Email:
inspector.general@usdoj.gov
You will need to be as detailed as possible and document as many facts pointing to injustice as possible.
Several weeks ago I attempted to email a letter of support to the team and their families by sending it to the Duke email address of one of the captains. I do not know if it was received because I did not get a response, but it was not returned either. Hopefully it did get to its desired destination.
I suppose it is possible that I did not get a response because the lawyers are telling the victims (the lacrosse team) not to correspond with anyone.
Anyone have a link to more details on the case? Especially any info about nifong (caps purposely omitted) talking with the nbpp?
The fact that Nifong talked with NBPP was reported in one of the Duke Chronicle articles. I will go back and try to pinpoint the exact article.
With regard to more details on this case, below is the link for a website LalkLeft.com. A bunch of lawyers are discussing the case in almost a clinical fashion 24/7. You may find it interesting. The title of the website is not reflective of its contents. I found it quite useful. Perhaps others can share useful links to other sites too.
Talk Left (see Links page - Discussion boards)
Talk Left is a great site. Best blogs I have read throughout this entire nightmare. Thanks for the heads up. Makes you think we have more than a fighting chance to see this thing through.
we're going to have a vigil for the Duke LAX players at my university in Houston. we don't believe one word that has come out of this lying harlot's mouth, and she's just making it worse with every passing day. Nifong should be ashamed of himself. as for Duke students, parents, faculty, etc - hang tight. justice will definitely be served.
That's a courageous move! I wish there were more people willing to take a public stance on the innnocence of our players. Thank you.
Poster two above: Thank you for your admirable decision. I too wish that there were more people taking a stand on this. Time will reveal that the Lacrosse players are innocent.
There was a question earlier whether DA Nifong met with NBPP or not. Below is a link that claims more than a meeting (sharing of evidence). I picked this up from the DBR board. But, a phone conversation for two hours was reported between Shabazz and Nifong in one of the Duke Chronicle articles as well. That information may have been based on what Shabazz said. I do not know how dependable the information is.
NationalLedger.com
Below are some excerpts from the NBPP protest early May:
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Another NBPP official, spokesman Yusuf Shabazz, expanded on his party's anti-Semitic black separatist agenda. He added that the party would use violent means to increase the power of blacks and create an independent territory he called "New Africa."
"Anytime a white man grabs a rifle and stands up for his liberty and wife, he's a hero." Yusuf Shabazz said. "We'll kill everybody in a household, we'll kill everybody on our block."
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If Nifong has indeed talked with these people or shared any evidence, that would probably enough cause to disbar him. I wish someone could investigate to see if such a meeting happened (or, a telephone conversation).
Whatever happened to the right to a speedy trial?
Beware of a speedy trial.
It's not like you're dealing with a district attorney with any shread of integrity. He wants to convict as many lacrosse players as possible without any regards to guilt or innocence.
Many innocent men have been sent to prison from false accusation of rape. Rape shield laws make it almost impossible to defend against a rape accusation.
The rape shiled law, the powers of the state, the judicial system in Durham, are all slanted in favor of the "rape victim". The defense must have their ducks in a row because this prosecutor will use any advantage to screw these kids... it's personal to him.
Did you see the paper today? The new DNA tests found that the DNA in her matched some other man "known to police" and not any Duke player. Now, what, Mr. Nyfong?
Duke Mom
Yea, I saw that. I was depressed yesterday reading about all the lies that were leaking from the DA's office. Apparently, he had to resort to these lies in order to save face. Then, I was happy after I listed to the news conference held by the defense attorneys. However, I do not know what to expect next. I just do not want anyone else to be indicted on Monday, and the crazy DA is not going to stop before he destroys another life. I think he will go for it; he is out of control now. Someone needs to bring him back to reality. I hope this whole saga ends soon, but I doubt it will.
By the way, DA’s “leaking lies” tactic worked well. Yesterday, all the newspapers were headlining the possible DNA match. Today, there is not a single headline (at least not yet) on the semen/DNA found from the non-players. Nifong knew that the papers would not want to make a big story out of this following his big (but non factual) story. He seems to be clever in all the wrong ways. God help us.
Read this from the Herald Sun! (the ** are my addition for emphasis):
"Afterward, attorney Bill Thomas of Durham -- who represents an un-indicted lacrosse player -- said semen found in the dancer's body was "of recent origin" and had been deposited there "**immediately prior to her being examined**" in connection with the alleged rape."
http://www.herald-sun.com/durham/4-734516.html If Thomas is right, then it had to have happened between the time she left the party and the time she arrived at Duke Medical Center. I'm not an attorney, but that seems destroy the rape exam as evidence against the Duke players.
Duke Accuser DNA Belongs to Her Boyfriend
From TalkLeft Blog:
The defense lawyers wouldn't say it, but ABC News has no such reservation: The DNA found on the vaginal swab of the accuser in the Duke Lacrosse case belongs to her boyfriend.
I've been told (and this may be common knowledge, I have no idea) that the boyfriend drove her to the party and went to see her in the hospital the next day. What wasn't known when I got the information was whether the boyfriend went back to pick her up that night and whether he saw anything at the house.
So....score another point for the defense. Nonetheless, DA Nifong is expected to indict a third player Monday.
Thanks for the information. I am very sad to hear about the third indictment. I wonder if Nifong really has something that we don't know about, or is just doing this for the sake of doing it.
Latest from defense lawyers is that the DNA report says semen in accuser was deposited immediately prior to exam. What the heck does that mean? The afternoon before, just before the party? She was picked up by Durham police "dead drunk" at 1:00 a.m. and in Duke Medical Center for exam around 3:30 a.m., I think. Maybe Durham police need to explain her whereabouts "immediately Prior to exam"????
Duke Law GRad
Responding to 11:26 PM post-- I'm going from memory here, but I think she was first taken to a detox center, and was there for a time before being taken to Duke Medical. I don't know if the exact times have been reported or not. I'm also not clear on who who took her to Duke Medical. I've read that it was Durham PD, and I've read that it was her boyfriend. Some have speculated that the two versions do not necessarily conflict. My guess is that the defense team has all that nailed down, and more.
Everything I read about Miss M is nauseating. What a disgusting, loathesome, vile, lying piece of dirt she is. I dearly hope she suffers for her calumny.
Today is a sad day for the America justice system! Refusing to talk to a guy who you are going to indict??? Unheard of??? Impossible!!!
Things like this should not happen in America. I hope, in the end, Nifong suffers as much as he made these young innocents boys suffer. There must be a way to punish this b*****d.
The Dukebasketballreport.com site has an interesting review of the DA done by a Maryland law prof. Needless to say he was pretty critical of Nifong and his tactics. What can we do to protest this behavior? Are we powerless? I am a lawyer--I never really believed in the idea that the police would set people up--but this experience has forever changed this assumption.
To the poster above: We are all very upset about this and we are quite convinced that some things are going wrong in this case. The question is what can be done? I have been asking the question and everyone keeps telling me pretty much nothing can be done. If there are some ideas there, we need to get those ideas shared. This is a strange/bizarre case and we may need to do something strange/bizarre to save the lives of the kids from ruin. All ideas on this are welcome.
I think I've read that the NC Attorney General has the power to intervene in local prosecutions and take over the case. Is there any way to apply pressure to the AG to make him act? He has to run for office, too. And he has a state-wide constituency.
I just finished reading the five opinions presented by legal professionals on this case on the Duke Basketball Report forum. I found the opinions quite interesting. I would ignore the fourth comment. ----It did not include anything of substance. Unlike the other four opinions, the author of the 4th opinion did not identify himself. And, without offering any justification, what so ever, the author decided to take the accuser's side. I suspect this opinion was not written by a legal professional. He/she must be an imposter!--- Anyway, ignoring that 4th opinion, the rest of the opinions are not flattering to Nifong. I hope these people will provide the basis for some kind of legal action to be taken against DA Nifong. In my opinion, he has gone way too far in destroying innocent lives. Someone needs someone to give him some of his own medicine. I hope there will be further opinions added to the DBR list soon.
To the poster 2 above: We will need to see who the NC Attorney General is. If he is another Nifong, it may be hard to get him to do anything. But, let us do some research on the AG.
Please, someone take this on as a project. Find out what we can do to help and show our support of the Duke lacrosse players to the university, Nifong, Durham and the country, not just to each other. Write letters, send emails, make phone calls, protest, anything other than sitting and waiting for things to happen. This feeling of helplessness and lack of action on our part is stressful. If there is something we can do, everyone will feel better.
To the poster above: Please go to the Recommended Actions page of this site, and make some concrete/specific recommendations. We are going to be coming with an action plan very soon and start doing things. This site has only been existence for about 10 days. We needed to get organized and exchange views first.
Here are a few things I picked up today that might be of interest. Mort Kondrake (on Fox News) is friends with Dave Evans' parents. He called Nifong's actions prosecutorial misconduct, and "wants him to get his comeuppance". Bob Bennett (President Clinton's lawyer in the Paula Jones case) is working for the defense. If K Street lawyers were baseball players, Bob Bennett would be Barry Bonds. Susan Filan, an MSNBC legal analyst, looked shaken after Dave Evans' powerful appearance. It was like the light bulb finally went on, and she didn't like what she saw.
Tonight Pesident Brodhead sits alone in his home with three fingers of scotch and regrets he never met or got to know the captain of the Duke men's lacrosse team, and wonders how, why, where such courage and moral clarity originates and wonders why his own shadow is slowly and curiously disappearing, even as the world shines a bright light upon him.
Duke Law Grad
To the poster 2 above: Very well said! I do not think Brodhead will survive this (he mustn’t). I think all of the Lacrosse players will not only survive it but become stronger and better as a result of this ugly episode. My prayers and well wishes are with all of the players. This nightmare will end guys; it will not go on forever. Thank you for the lesson you are giving to all of us in courage and strength...
Dr. Brodhead is full of levity! Does he have the gravitas for this crisis? I found Lange's remarks at Commencement rather enlightening in regard to his allusion to this crisis. I came back with the impression that he was no supporter of these boys. Am I wrong? Is there an enemy of these kids in the higher-ups of Duke that is commandeering the way Duke handles or mishandles this situation? I am not sure it is Brodhead. He may just be "over his head," sad as that is.
Are there some folks in the administration who are man-haters? It seems that these boys have been persecuted because they made some stupid decisions that young males often make ( hiring strippers and drinking too much). They are being pilloried because of their "maleness." I do not feel for a moment that any serious person could possibly believe the accuser and her hallucinatory tales. I think these guys are being ruined for other reasons. The press has suggested the case is over race and class. Yes, but I think it also may have to do with "whatever the opposite of misogyny is!"
There is something very sinister going on here besides reverse racisim and strained town-gown relationships. Some folks hate these boys and are persecuting them, and Duke is not standing up for them. Why? Would Duke turn its back on female athletes in this way? Who is pulling the strings at Duke? Is there a woman to blame? ( Besides the mentally ill accuser) Is the fact that these boys look and act heterosexual working against them at Duke? Is their male handsomeness a handicap? Am I the only mom who wonders this?
Hang on , Dave, Collin, Reade! The world is not totally upside down yet!!!
Duke Mom
No! You are not the only mom who wonders/worries about this! I believe the world is, socially, a very dangerous place for young men. ANY woman can make ANY claim and the man has no recourse. Even when there is NO evidence, except the accuser's "word," charges can be filed and indictments made. It is a very powerful and destructive weapon that women have. And when it is used maliciously or fraudulently, men can lose their reputations, and much more, for a lifetime. Unfortunately, Reade, Collin and Dave have been caught up in a fiasco such as this. And those of us who know they are innocent must continue to do what we can to assure justice in this case.
Stay strong guys! There are many people standing with you.
(Dave your comments to the press on Tuesday were outstanding! I cannot tell you how many people have told me how impressed they are with you.)
Lax Mom '02
In partial answer to the last post, I offer this. I've been hanging around Duke for a long time, having been a member of the Chapel Choir for years. Over the years, I've known a lot of undergraduates. I also teach at the college level (not at Duke).
I believe there is a pervasive anti-male atmosphere on college campuses, and it is not only the women on the faculty who are anti-male. Nor does it have anything to do with homosexuality.
When I was a freshman, the first word I heard from the administration was at an assembly of freshmen men. The word was "Gentlemen." It was the first time anyone ever called me a gentleman, and I've remembered it for 40 years.
You never hear that word anymore. Now freshment men are met at the door with the accusation that they are racists, drunks and potential rapists. They go through a series of sensitivity training sessions in which the clear assumption is that they are not worth of trust. If they are white, they have received letters from the University taking pride in the ability of the admissions office to keep their numbers as low as possible.
But these students are not fools. They often become cynics who perceive that, of them, not much is expected. Happily, a great many of them rise above the negativity, ignore it and are delightful gentlemen.
Those of you who are parents of such gentlemen should be proud, and you should defend them against Duke and Durham.
Here is an outstanding article by Kathleen Parker, hot off the cyberpress @ this URL: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/05/breathing_while_white.html
[begin excerpt] After reading the following characteristics, please select the college group that most likely fits the description:
The group has a 100 percent college graduation rate. Sixty percent have a 3.0 grade point average or above. During the past four years, 80 percent have made a national honor roll. Members regularly volunteer at more than a dozen community agencies, building houses for the homeless and serving in soup kitchens, while raising more money than any other group for the Katrina Relief Fund. [new paragraph]
Answer: (a) Tri-Delta sorority at the University of North Carolina; (b) women's rowing team at Clemson University; (c) synchronized swim team at Harvard University; (d) men's lacrosse team at Duke University.
FINALLY, someone is saying to the public, what has needed to be said. (I emailed the link to this article to Dan Abrams) This article along with example A, Dave Evan's outstanding "presentation" to the press, are showing what Duke lacrosse players are really like. In no way are they "hooligans" as described by the DA.
Lax Mom '02
Tidbits from today: Kimberly Guilfoyle (a Fox News legal analyst) has done a complete 180, and is now attacking Nifong, mainly for his delaying tactics. She also said the accuser's mother is the one pushing for a civil suit, not the accuser. Reade and his attorney will have court appearance tomorrow (5/18), and are expected to request the DA's evidence be turned over to them. That's all for now.
Read this comment from Seligman's attorney: [Osborn said he doesn't want to wait, and filed a motion Wednesday seeking additional evidence. That includes complete recordings of all relevant 911 calls, police dispatch logs and evidence relating to past criminal charges filed against the accuser and the other woman hired to dance at the party.
"If it's true that the district attorney doesn't have discovery of substance, then I want to know why, because certainly he should have what he relied on to get an indictment," Osborn said.] http://www.wral.com/news/9234550/detail.html
Get a load of this from the Herald Sun (URL to follow): Defense lawyers suggested Wednesday that the District Attorney's Office may have shown favoritism as early as 2002 to an exotic dancer who claimed she was gang raped during a Duke University lacrosse party in March.
In a written motion filed in Durham County Superior Court, attorneys for indicted rape suspect Reade Seligmann asked why the dancer received "such a favorable plea bargain" for criminal charges arising out of a drunken, stolen-car, high-speed police chase in June 2002.
Court records show that even though the woman was charged with four felonies and numerous other traffic violations, the offenses were plea-bargained down to misdemeanors and she received only probation.
But District Attorney Mike Nifong, who is handling the rape case, and who was an assistant prosecutor in 2002, said Wednesday he had nothing to do with the plea deal four years ago. He said he didn't know which local prosecutor negotiated it.
Wednesday's motion was submitted by lawyers Kirk Osborn and Ernest Conner.
http://www.herald-sun.com/durham/4-735912.html
Attention Trustees: The alumni are with the team. Brodhead has to go.
Duke T'85
I am a Durham resident. I do not know these boys personally but I do know that they helped coach lacrosse for the youth of Durham every fall for the past few years. NEVER were they late. They were always engaging, energetic, and positive. The accuser, not sure if I am allowed to use her name(s) she goes by two different names, is a repeat criminal who sells her body for sex and is a drug user. It seems common sense is lost on our DA and some members of the Durham community. Evidence aside we all know these boys are innocent. Enter the evidence and it is obvious that they are innocent.
It is embarrassing to say I live in Durham and that our DA is vindictive and on a witch hunt. Everyone I speak to in the community speaks only in support of the boys, the team, the coaches, and all the families involved. You would be surprised how many people know this to be a false accusation that has spiraled out of control. There are several people in the community who want to do something to show their support. If you all have any recommendations/suggestions on how we can channel these efforts let me know and I am happy to get the ball rolling.
I pray every day that the charges are dropped and that a judge will see this case for what it is.
A liar ruining the lives of MANY people.
Can you give a list of the Board of Trustees of Duke? Isn't Bob Steel the Chairman who found Brodhead? Could you post addresses of these trustees?
Could the Governor be asked to do something? He appointed Nyfong originally.
Duke Mom
I am outraged that the Black Panther Party was outside the courtroom screaming at Reid that "justice will be served rapist". It is time that all of us who are here locally show up and show our support and show that racist group that they are not welcome here and we don't need them spreading racism and lies. I for one will be there on June 19th and I hope many will join in on supporting these young men.
I saw Reade on TV, and I felt so sorry for him. I find it sickening that he has to endure these inflammatory, vulgar, threatening taunts. It is a dangerous situation.
The one good thing that can come out of it is that folks around the nation can see this boy's handsome, intelligent, pensive face and then see what the other side looks like-- an anarchist mob.
People who support the topless dancer/felon should feel guilt and remorse. No one can show one spec of evidence that supports her "tale." And now her mother is after the money with a civil suit. HORRIFIC! And predictable.
Brodhead needs to do something to suport these kids and do it now! Any educated person should wonder how his/her alma mater would react if faced with this savagery. This barbaric behavior was encouraged by Duke as nothing was done to stop the pot-bangers,etc. who condemned these kids without one shred of evidence. Brodhead's quick suspension of Ryan and his swift opportunity to nullify lacrosse at Duke by firing the coach and ending the season sent the world the message that he believed the hooker and her cohorts. For the life of me, I cannot understand why he is not issuing a statement at this point in time. Unbelievable. How can he sit at home only miles from Reade at the courthouse and do nothing? What a wimp.
Duke Mom
I was in tears watching the court proceedings today. Somehow, I do not think justice will be served in this case. I am worried dead about these kids. Look at what happened to OJ. He was guilty as hell and he got away with murder. What if the same happens here? How can we live with this for the rest of our lives? There must be something we can do to ensure justice is served. We cannot leave this to Nifong; he is not trustworthy. He had the guts to laugh today as Reade Seligman’s lawyers were making their various motions. What a “class act” this sob is!
I am really worried about the safety of these Lacrosse players as they appear in the court. The NBPP members sitting in the back of the court do not give me much comfort. Who is to say that one of those maniacs is not going to pull a fast one and try to harm one of these kids? Do you think they will be satisfied with yelling and screaming alone? Why doesn't the judge kick those creeps out of the court? They have no business being there other than trying to intimidate the people in the court. Is this what Nifong calls justice?
To the poster 1:47 pm May 18 - Durham resident
Thank you for your message. Coming from a Durham resident, it means a great deal to us! Your support in this case is going to be extremely important. We will try to put your support to good use in the coming weeks. Please keep in touch with us. If you feel comfortable doing it, send us an email (you can be absolutely sure of our confidentiality on this matter). In the meantime, we will start thinking about how to utilize your assistance to the benefit of these falsely accused students. God be with us all during these hard times. Our hearts go out for the families involved and your support will mean a great deal to them too. Than you, thank you, a million times…
Moderator
Reade Seligmann was referred to as a Junior today in a Chonicle article. Does anyone know if this was a mistake on the part of the author of the article, or if he was permitted to complete his sophmore year and indeed has become a junior? I hope it is the latter. That will make me really happy.
Here's a good place to stay up to the minute on all aspects of the Duke Lacrosse case-- http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=duke
Some thoughts on today:
To the concerned Durham resident, you and all like you should call and write your city councilman and mayor and demand they begin to cool the racism before it harms the city more than it has, that they by council resolution should condemn racist remarks and ask non-Durham residents to butt out. Best pressure point will be councilman representing your district. Churches should chime in too. Sooner or later, defendants will file a motion asking the court to change venue (trial in some other city or county). If you feel Durham is too charged, you and others should write directly to the judge telling him so.
The New Black Panthers are amateur punks. The real race merchants, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, have disappeared. They smell a rat like you and I can't and see way more downside than up. The defendants in the case most likely have looked into security. Many ex-SEALS do this work. I hope they have been employed and the NBPP in their designer camouflage make the mistake of bumping up against men who bled on theirs.
Some talking heads keep saying Nifong must have a lacrosse player turned state's evidence or some other silver bullet. If so, Seligmann's lawyers now know, any statement would have been in the 1363 pages produced today. They should now have hospital report and toxicology reports as well. Most of 1300 pages will be meaningless transcripts of interviews and investigation reports. My bet, Nifong handed over junk today and will have to be forced to give up more even though rules say today was the day. I don't know why Seligmann's lawyers can't share with other defendants' lawyers, Nifong said he wants to try them all together. The way this crowd leaks, we should know more tomorrow.
Duke Law Grad
I just listened to the Abrams Report. It sounds like the DA does not have any evidence we did not know about (i.e. no “smoking gun”). I am delighted; finally we may begin to see the tides change. Those miserable characters, Nancy Grace, Wendy Murphy, and alike, will have a hard time defending Nifong in the coming days and weeks. As expected, I Nifong’s case is falling apart… He is a disgrace to human kind. But, he will not get away with this crime. He will have to pay for his screw-up in one way or another. America will demand it.
Upon further reflection, I think a bit more patience is required. Seligmann most certainly was not there. Two more discovery hearings, Finnerty and Evans, must pass with no smoking gun before it is really over for Nifong. But according to NC lawyers, that hearing is where Nifong has to bare all. Failure to do so may well put Nifong at risk of having the cases dismissed.
News reports are distorted. Judge did not refuse to lower Seligmann's bond but just told his lawyer to file a motion and set it for hearing. He did not refuse to fast track, just said these guys can't jump to front of line. Question is will judge keep Nifong from pushing these cases back in line behind new ones.
Duke Law Grad
Remember Jennifer Wilibanks and her phony story of a kinapping and rape, just last year. Remember how quickly the police unravelled her yarn.
I believe the difference here is race. There are certain members of the black race that want to exploit this phony lacrosse rape to their advantage.
What is needed is for more black men and women to come to the forefront and publicly state that they believe the lacrosse players.
Have any well known black athletes, politicians, or entertainers done this? Is there a black talking head who will come forward? What does Bill Cosby think?
So far, I have not seen one but I do not watch tv 24/7. Anyone know?
Duke Mom
Dr. Thomas Sowell has written 2 synidcated articles saying Nifong is a hoax. His longtime conservative views, however, disqualify him with most of his fellow blacks.I think the only hope is one or two local black church leaderes to step up.
I only caught part of the Abrams report referred to above. Did they discuss the medical or toxicology reports Selimann's lawyers surely got last yesterday? One guest talked about the accuser's statement saying no condoms were used. Was this conjecture or reported as fact. If fact, it is almost impossible to explain lack of DNA evidence.
To 8:37 PM, May 19 post: I know of two such people. See the links section for two excellent articles by Thomas Sowell. Larry Elder has also been very supportive of the Duke Lacrosse team. Larry is a black radio talk show host, and he can be heard on XM Radio channel 124 from 6 PM to 9PM Eastern. I believe he is also on Sirius Radio, and some local AM stations in Chicago and Los Angeles. I haven't heard Walter Williams comment yet, but I would keep an eye out for him to do so. He writes a weekly column on townhall.com
To Duke Law Grad, et al: My understanding is that Nifong has been involved as an investigator, as well as being the lead prosecutor. From what you know about the case, could Nifong be called as a witness, and be cross examined?
To the poster who worked in UCLA: Thanks you for your post. For the sake of not getting this topic too cluttered with articles, I am removing the article you pasted and instead including a link to it. Our readers can read this interesting article in its original location. Again, thanks for your contribution.
Whiteness Studies by Chris Weinkopf
Moderator
My impression is that Nifong actively DIRECTED investigation but did none of the actual field work. The police officers who did the interviews etc. probably will testify and there probably is no basis to call Nifong. I wouldn't trust what he has to say, based on his performance and would not risk calling him. I hope the Durham cops were unhappy about going into the dorms to interview lacrosse players represented by counsel about who was at the party (clearly they or Nifong feared she would pin the tail on the wrong donkey). And about doing a rigged lineup. And about brining in the taxi driver for harassment. All these were contrary to normal operating procedure and frankly, scummy stunts. If the cops were enthusiastic about these acts, Durham, and Duke, have a much worse problem on their hands. Early on, a retired detective was on t.v. (O'Reilly I think) saying the Durham cops were not happy and could not corroborate her story. Nifong has pushed the ethical envelope and maybe the legal envelope. I am wildly speculating here, but the U.S. Civil Rights Act punishes public officials who used their office to deny someone's civil rights. (Hence case against police officers who beat Rodney King and other federal cases against local police.) What a delicious irony to see Nifong arrested for violation, attempted violation or conspiracy to violate the players' civil rights. If someone with expertise started seriously talking this up (if it is a realistic legal possibility), some Durham cops would start looking over their shoulder for FBI agents inquiring into a conspiracy charge. I have largely considered these knid of cases b.s. until I beheld Mr. Nifong.
Duke Law Grad
New defense motions filed. Claim there was no tox report in the discovery they received.
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=4194520
Yet Nifong alluded to a date rape drug possibility in the Newsweek piece.
I just heard the same thing on Abrams Report. I can hardly believe it. Did Nifong not like the results of the Tox test and make them disappear? He is capable of doing anything. If there were no toxicology reports, how dare he made statements implying date-rape drugs? I am getting really mad at this guy. I want to jump out of my skin. He needs some punishment, by someone, and soon! Hey, NC Attorney General: where are you? Are you blind, are you death? When are you going to end this misery?
I totally support these young men. With no evidence to support the stripper they have been put through the ringer with much more to come. I would fully support a march. I honestly believe that Nifong will delay the trial so that the facts are forgotten and he needs time to "get these strippers cleaned up". He will probably provide etiquette lessons.
To Colin, Reade and David, we support you and will always stand behind you. Stay strong because you and your innocence will prevail. We say a prayer for you each and every day. God bless.
Holy moly! On Hannity & Colmes tonight: Defense says medical exam showed no lacerations, tears, or bruising in vaginal area. Only showed edema (swelling).
The false accuser gave three names to police whose DNA might might match what was found inside her on the rape exam-- her boyfriend, and her two drivers who drove her to appointments in hotels in the week prior. Consensus on panel is that no toxicology tests were done. The show repeats at 2 AM eastern on Foxnews. These revelations were the lead story, and take up the first 20 minutes of the show. Fire up your Tivos!
Tivo alert. On the Record with Greta van Susteren: Nifong gets ripped apart by ALL the panelists, even the former defenders. Repeats on Foxnews channel at 3 AM eastern. The discussion starts about 30 minutes into the show. The transcript should be available on the Foxnews website in a day or two.
Excellent news. I will catch the 3am eastern show. What more will it take to get Nifong to drop the charges? Shall we go to Durham and march on the court house?
Excellent article in the May 22 edition of the Legal Times by Stuart Taylor, Jr entitled "Faculty Folly". In short, the writer supports the 3 indicted players and states that "90 members of the Duke Faculty have prejudged the case, with some exuding hte anti-white racism and disdain for student athletics that pollutes mnay college fcaculties" It talks aobut how Princeton Pres Bowen went out of his way in a report on Dukes handling of the case " to slime the players in a report that is a parody of race obsessed political correctness. It mentions how Nfong and how a certain Durham police officer should them selves be under investigation for intimidation of possible intimidation of a distnerested defense witness - the cabbie. It goes on to talk about the Bowen-Chambers report and the miminum credibility of the accused escort. Also mentions how lacrosse players in contrast to Brodheads/faculty description of them in fact, excel in academics and are respected by women on campus,including the Duke women lacrosse players.
Thanks for the poster who pointed out the excellent article by Stuart Taylor. Yesterday, we had added a link to the article it our Links page. However, I am now including the link here as well.
In Duke Case, A Rogues' Gallery May 22, 2006 Stuart Taylor
Moderator
Read about Dr. Brodhead's scholarly research. Most of it centers on an African American writer,who composed after the Civil War. Could it be that his passion for African-American history and literature clouded his judgment so severely that he was unable to see how blatantly bogus the accuser's tale was? Could it be that he feels such kinship with everything African-American that he felt himself compelled to side with the accuser simply because she was black? I am trying to grapple with how a very educated man could be so blindsided.
Duke Mom
Sorry, my link did not work in the earlier post. Here it is.
In Duke Case, A Rogues' Gallery May 22, 2006 Stuart Taylor
To Duke's mom: Perhaps he should consider a post at NCCU if that is where his passion is. He seems so against the white students in Duke. What is he doing there in the first place? Didn't he know where he was going when he accepted the job?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,196631,00.html
This is the perfect storm of politicians need for coverage and the medias need for ratings. It is so predictable that it is boring - hence my lack of attention. Durham is a black city, the prosecutor is in election mode so lynching some white boys sells, and the the WAPO/NYT/and every TV media are in ratings sweeps. As you might have noticed MSM is losing advertising dollars every quarter. They don't mind a lynching as long as it pays.
Last night on Hannity & Colmes they were going over the highlights (or lowlights, as it were) of 1,300 pages of discovery documents the prosecutor turned over to the defense yesterday. It's even worse than we thought. The victim gave at least four differnt stories, in two of which she denied being raped. The drivers for the woman stated that in the weekend preceeding the incident they had driven her to local hotels six times for short visits. (ie. she's a hooker). In addition, there is nothing in the medical records to indicate this woman was raped.
Further, she stated that her fellow "dancer" was in the bathroom with her when she was attacked. When confronted with this statement, the fellow "dancer" stated, "That's a crock". And lastly, there were no toxicology reports turned over. This means either no toxicology tests were performed or the prosecurtor is lying when he said he turned over "everything he had." It staggers the imagination that a hospital would examine and treat an inebriated person without doing a blood test to check toxicology.
Nancy Grace is a total whackjob, like an accident waiting to happen. I really feel she should be locked up and observed for a year or two as the lady is totally nutzoid! Why is she even allowed to be on television spewing her filthy trash towards these young men is beyond me, but were one of the guys charged with this crime, when I was released from the charges, I'd be owning whatever house and car Nancy Grace had, then I'd burn it all to the ground.She has defamed these boys big time, and she deserves to be called on it to the tune of many, many millions of dollars.
She was a prosecutor in Atlanta. She knows what race commits most of the rapes in this country. She knows what race commits the least amount of rapes in this country.
The accuser in this case has learned from experience that there is no downside to making false accusations. This time she may have hit the jackpot. I hear she is already setting up a civil suit with a race-hustling lawyer. Jesse Jackson has offered to pay her college tuition (major in extortion I suppose)so she will get away clean regardless of what happens.
Anybody can say anything they want against white, male, heterosexual, Christians. But say something against any other group and the MSM will go ballistic and call you every name in the book. This double standard makes me sick.
My read of the accussor is she is the type that creates stories to explain her own lack of judgement. Would'nt be surprised if she is bi-polar aka crazy.
I have met the type many times and had the good sense to steer clear of them. Too bad Duke University has such a punk administration. You would think that the money parents spend on that college that they would expect the administration would protect their kids from a loco local lawyer.
I guess now they know they should have gone to NC State in Raleigh and missed all the multicultural bonding they are going through.
You would think that the money parents spend on that college that they would expect the administration would protect their kids from a loco local lawyer.
You would think, but Universities live in an ivory tower, and no rules apply to them (in their mind).
My alma mater (Syracuse) wastes millions of tuition dollars paid by hard working and saving parents. They use that money for:
- Several highly paid jobs for "Diversity Chairs"
- A "Queer Studies" program
- Publication of "The Cultural Necessity of Queer Families" newsletter (not sure who reads this)
- University financial support to a radical feminist website called The GuerrillaGirls
- A "Committee for Diversity"
- Several "Subcommittees for Diversity"
- At least three homosexual newspapers (partially funded by the University) to promote "GBLT"
I am not even mentioning all the racist curriculum they teach in the "Black Studies", "Chicano Studies", and every other "Studies" out there.
Oh, the University also banned the Boy Scouts of America from using the Carrier Dome because the organization dared to say homosexual scout leaders were unacceptable.
Don't know if anyone caught this on Abrams today, but apparently a police officer waved some ammonia under the accuser's nose when she was "unconscious." The officer (according to the defense) didn't think she was actually unconscious judging by her reaction to the ammonia. Y
Yale Galanter said that people who are genuinely unconscious have a pretty dramatic reaction to being "woken up." Apparently the accuser's reaction was unconvincing to the officer.
VERY similiar to a police officer in the Tawana Brawley case who thought Tawana was also "playing" unconscious.
Michael Nifong, every one of these professors and administrators, plus every "reporter" who has contributed to this legal disgrace, should be hounded unmercifully -- until they issue a full and complete apology.
Failing that, every member of the Duke lacrosse team should join a class-action libel suit designed to extract every last dollar from their accounts -- making their lives as thoroughly miserable as they have made the teammates'.
This episode is an utter disgrace...and an instructive example needs to be set.
Someone filed an ethics violation against Nifong. 'Bout time!
Regarding the 1,300 pages of evidence, sources told FOX News that the accuser allegedly did not tell the officer who met her at a supermarket after responding to a 911 call that she had been raped.
Later, the woman told a doctor at a mental health facility that she had been sexually assaulted. She later denied that claim to a police officer when she arrived at the Duke hospital for care.
So when she realized she was being placed into Durham Center Access, the detox center, she suddenly cried rape. As some of us have long suspected, she may have a history of being treated for mental illness or substance abuse at this very facility.
Perhaps this incident, absent crying rape, would have been a final straw justifying some form of involuntary treatment. And then when she gets out of Durham Access, she denies having cried rape. Presumably she then realizes she needs to stick with the rape story to remain free of Durham Access.
There was also a tape of a police officer after hearing about the rape report saying that "I'll swing by Charles st. to check on the young'uns."
The alleged rape took place on Buchanan st. Is Charles St. the alleged victim's home? Are the young'uns referred to her children?
Is the alleged victim so well known to police that they are accustomed to check on her 5 & 7 year old children when she is arrested? How often do the police
make contact with her on her escort girl rounds?
The woman also originally claimed that a second dancer who accompanied her to the party, was inside the bathroom during the alleged rape, the sources said. The accuser claims she was assaulted and sodomized in that bathroom for about a half an hour and that she tried to fend off her attackers.
When police asked the 2nd dancer whether she was in the room at the time, she reportedly told police, "that's a crock."
The 2nd dancer is NOT going to perjure herself.
It seems to me that the whole areas of sexual assault law and family law (and immigration law, for that matter) have been warped by an influx over the past few decades of lawyers into these areas of practice who have a pre-existing political agenda or bias against males. Sit through a typical class on family law in a law school these days, and it is often more of a sermon by the instructor than legal instruction.
As these lawyers become established in these fields, they become judges, professors and recognized experts in these fields and have a disproportionate impact on the development of the law in these areas.
About the officer who was taped the night of the incident saying
" I'll swing by Charles st and check on the young'uns.
The alleged victim aka lying extortionist lived on Charles st. in 2002 at the time of her auto theft/dui/assault on a police officer arrest.
So it does look like she is so well known to local police that when they come in contact with her in her drunken states they are familiar enough with her to automatically go check up on her children at home.
Durham's a small city. Half million. People who run in the same circles are familair with each others, especially police and drunken "escort" girls.
Let's go to the RACE/SEX-BAITERS! I'd like to see these Duke Academics with their faces plastered on FLIERS allllll over the nation with this caption:
This person is a racist/sexist. Remember his/her face. He/She could be coming to a town and college near YOU! or...
"Would you trust your child to the care of and instruction by...THIS person? If yes, please pay $40K per annum up front now.. and we can turn your child's critical thinking natural abilities into something which will BLOW YOUR MIND! SHAZAAAM!
It's called the "serious 'do" program. And we aim to deliver. Why, you won't even recognize your child when we are done educating 'em."
This story is cold as it gets. The Newspapers (Print) reported every little rumor damning to these players, now the Newspapers won't touch this story.
I expect we'll hear a chorus of we are going to have to wait until trial for the truth. Or this is what court rooms are for. She deserves her day in court. All total B.S.
If these guys were minorities, Geraldo would be on TV holding a gun to his head urging the Attorney General of the United States to drive to Durham and see what he has seen.
Oprah would been funding the entire Defense for the players. Every Paper would've printed Cartoons showing Nifong wearing a Hitler mustache complete SS regalia and boots.
The man at the court hearing who sat behind Fox reporters called out to Seligman "dead man walking." I'm very worried about these young men. If they are not convicted and jailed for most of their lives, I'm afraid that they could be in physical danger--vigilante justice.
If they are convicted by an OJ type jury of non whites, what will happen to them in a NC state prison with mostly affirmative action black guards and staff who will happily throw them to the wolves?
What could happen to Nifong for malpractice? Could HE go to jail? Or do we have to wait for him to be voted out of office?
Quo bono? Who benefits from Nifong continuing this case?
Certainly re-election is a strong motivation. But I've begun to wonder if there isn't more.
The Black Panthers need an issue to appear relevant and they certainly don't care about truth or justice.
And there's accuser herself. Apparently, she didn't call it rape at first either, although there's differing reports on that. Why did she jump in with both feet when she knew that she had had sex with every man she came across that weekend--apparently except the lacross players.
Did someone get to her and convince her to change her story? Why?
I can't believe they even brought charges in this case. No DNA, no evidence of tearing or bleeding, just some swelling and tenderness, 5 "dates" in 72 hours, plus the boyfriend and 2 drivers.
She initially said she wasn't raped and changed her story repeatedly first claiming 15-20 men raped her then saying 3 did and on and on.
And that isn't even addressing the exculpatory evidence the defense has. Sheesh. Someone really needs to stop this thing.
Apparently when the DNA came back showing the semen didn't match a player, Nifong asked the accuser whose it could have benn. She gave three names - her boyfriend, and two men referred to as her "drivers".
Then someone got from the "drivers" that they had taken the FA to five motel/hotel "dates" the days/weekend preceding the party.
I'm very concerned that voir dire in Durham will produce a predominantly black jury, and that any juror who does not agree with them will be turned into a racist, and succomb to the peer pressure, no matter how utterly ridiculous this case is on its face
Nobody wanted to accept the obvious truth, that is why all the talking heads kept talking about Nifong having aces up his sleeve.
Nobody wanted to accept that Nifong is a sleazy politician who used the wavering word of a mentally ill hooker to keep the only position he has ever had.
He wants to retire as THE district Attorney, not as just another ADA.
He plas the race card at the expense of innocent people and, not incidentally, women who have actually been assaulted. I
t is all right there in the open and people would rather think that forty white male duke students are lying, that a no credit twenty seven year old black prostitute with a criminal record is actually Julia Roberts with a heart of gold, and that Nifong cares about justice than this is just plain old local political bs.
So, when they learn that hookers do have sex for money and lie, they are startled because it calls into question their assumptions.
Why would these guys drug, rape, and grope alleged victim but never bother 2nd dancer?
She would just hang out, a completely sober witness and look on? Does that make any sense that they would attack one and not the other? Nifong is nuts.
Let us pray for the safety of these innocent kids and for the sanity of their parents. I know I would not be able to handle this if I was under the same stress and injustice that these people have been subjected to. God help us all, but most of all, God help those families and these innocent kids. We have to believe that better days are ahead. We must all remain strong.
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