Appreciation luncheon held for beleaguered district attorney

The Durham Herald-Sun ^ | Feb 19, 2007 : 10:26 pm ET | John Stevenson

[JLS]

DURHAM -- "District Attorney Appreciation Week" was launched Monday for embattled Durham chief prosecutor Mike Nifong, who suggested the event's organizers are more in tune with reality than countless out-of-state hecklers who criticize his handling of the controversial Duke lacrosse sex-offense case.

"If you rely on certain media, you might think there is universal disapproval of me," Nifong said, referring largely to national television outlets that have relentlessly hammered him over the lacrosse incident.

"But if you're closer to home, you realize that's not true," he added.

Two of those behind Monday's Nifong appreciation luncheon in the DA's Office in the Durham County Courthouse were Victoria Peterson, rebuked by City Council members last month for making an anti-Duke statement at a public meeting, and former school board member Jackie Wagstaff, who five years ago received a favorable plea bargain on charges that she used a nonprofit organization to falsify requests involving $1,452 of taxpayers' money.

The original felony charges against Wagstaff were downgraded to misdemeanors.

Nifong was not chief prosecutor at the time, but was a veteran assistant district attorney. He reportedly had nothing to do with Wagstaff's deal.

Peterson, Wagstaff, Durham resident Minnie Brown and another woman were the only nonstaff Nifong supporters on hand when a Herald-Sun writer dropped by late into Monday's luncheon -- about 1:15 p.m. Peterson said other members of the public had been there and left. Roughly a dozen others still around the table at 1:15 work for Nifong.

No additional events are scheduled for "Appreciation Week," but Peterson said she hoped more people would participate by sending flowers, cards or any token of support to the beleaguered district attorney.

"A lot of people have asked me -- probably 100 or 200 -- to let Mr. Nifong know he is appreciated," said Peterson. "We feel he's done a lot of hard work for more than 27 years here. He's been loyal to the community. He's been faithful to the community."

"I see people at church who tell me they are praying for him and supporting him," Peterson added. "At the grocery store, people ask me to tell him to keep his head up and hang in there."

Numerous letters-to-the-editor writers from far-flung places are not representative of the real sentiment surrounding him, Nifong contended.

"I don't represent the people who write in from elsewhere," he said. "I do represent the people of Durham. They're the ones I need to do a good job for. Many people tell me they are very happy with our work. I think the results we're getting in court speak for themselves. The DA's Office has always been about more than just one case."

But as they munched barbecued chicken, mashed potatoes and corn at an "Appreciation Week" luncheon Monday, no one mentioned the fact that Nifong's law license is on the line for allegedly making unethical statements about the lacrosse incident and -- also allegedly -- withholding evidence favorable to three indicted defendants.

A hearing committee of the N.C. State Bar is expected to decide in June whether Nifong is exonerated, receives minor punishment such as a warning letter or is disbarred for the alleged misconduct.

Peterson, a local activist and frequent candidate for elective office, was called down at a City Council meeting in January after she became the only person to speak against a proposed rezoning of Duke's Central Campus.

She said the rezoning application should be rejected because of the university's role in the lacrosse case, and because of what she said was a rising tide of crime attributable to Duke students.

"Because it's Duke with their money and influence, you want to overlook a lot of the stuff they've done," Peterson admonished council members, who promptly silenced her.

[JLS]

You just can not make this stuff up.

[JLS]

ping

[LiteKeeper]

Can you spell "denial?"

[neverhillorat]

Global warming strikes again

[JennysCool]

Here's Victoria, co-founder of "Citizens for Mike Nifong."

[ApplegateRanch]

Is it to late to take up a collection, and send him a Ho-Gram, courtesy of "FReepers Concerned About Official Injustices"?

[ApplegateRanch]

But as they munched barbecued chicken, mashed potatoes and corn at an "Appreciation Week" luncheon Monday

They forgot the collards & watermellon.

Especially that red to the heart watermellon.

[Yehuda]

"tastes like chicken..."

[JLS]

No I believe it is Corrupt DA week all week long. A Ho-gram for Nifong would be quite funny.

[lapsus calami]

 

 

 

Hmmph. The company he keeps speaks volumes. And it's supposed to take an entire week for laying down a fog of desperate PR - gotta wonder how many more Durham County tax dollars are going to be blown because of that bum.

 

 

 

[JoanOfArk]

I don't know how anyone could eat a meal at a table with Peterson or Nifong. What a bunch of losers. No one showed up for the appreciation celebration except for the people who worked for him.

[Colorado Doug]

While it was nice of Nifong's mother to throw this luncheon for him, you would have thought that she would have at least shown up for it along with his several friends. Oh well, can't blame her for being embarrassed.

[Ken H]

Here's Victoria, co-founder of "Citizens for Mike Nifong."

KC Johnson on Victoria Peterson:

-snip-

In addition to her homophobic rants and her claims that Duke Hospital tampered with the DNA evidence, Peterson had shared the platform with the head of a hate group, the New Black Panthers, during the Panthers' visit to Durham. Most district attorneys would not consider this a welcoming resume. A recently released Duke Police report shows that Peterson did more than simply stand silently on the platform. According to the report of Officer S.M. Tiffin,

Capt. Evans informed me that during the rally, Ms. Peterson was advocating burning down the house at 610 N. Buchanan. Capt. Evans told me that he quietly asked her not to continue telling people to burn the house.

-snip-

http://durhamwonderland.blogspot.com/2007/01/sunday-roundup_28.html

[GSlob]

"If you rely on certain media, you might think there is universal disapproval of me," Nifong said, referring largely to national television outlets that have relentlessly hammered him over the lacrosse incident. "But if you're closer to home, you realize that's not true," he added."
So the disapproval was not quite universal - he scrambled up a few acquaintances and maybe relatives.

[Neverforget01]

Peterson, Wagstaff, Durham resident Minnie Brown and another woman were the only nonstaff Nifong supporters on hand when a Herald-Sun writer dropped by late into Monday's luncheon -- about 1:15 p.m. Peterson said other members of the public had been there and left. Roughly a dozen others still around the table at 1:15 work for Nifong.

I wonder if they had a choice?

DA Appreciation week--there's a first.

[Fido969]

With that "burn the house down" comment, it is amazing that the Herald-Sun continues to support Peterson.

[Fido969]

"DA Appreciation week--there's a first."

It's a plot by the greeting-card companies.

[CFC__VRWC]

Pathetic.

What's just as pathetic is the Durham Herald-Sun, even now, continues to carry Nifong's water.

[Larry Lucido]

I'm glad the suppport is local, because they are the ones who will pay the taxes to cover the civil damage awards to those wrongfully accused.

[Dukie07]

As a shout out to our friend Locomotive Breath, it's also "Engineer's Week" at Duke (maybe elsewhere?).

Note to LB: You might wanna ask Duke to make sure EW doesn't coincide with AADA week next year..... :) .... although, the guy is a pretty good railroader...

[Locomotive Breath]

Thanks. I'll tell Mrs. LB that I deserve extra appreciation this week.

Today's rhetorical question:
Imagine a society without lawyers.
Imagine a society without engineers.
In which society would you like to live?

[twonie]

I thought there were limits even to southern decency. Guess not!

[maggief]

http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/545040.html

Modified: Feb 20, 2007 02:41 AM

Man charged with raping Duke student at party


EXCERPT

DURHAM - Police made an arrest Monday in connection with a Duke University freshman's allegation that she was sexually assaulted at an off-campus party earlier this month.

Michael Jermaine Burch, 21, of 322 Junction Road, Durham, was charged with second-degree rape. He was held in Durham County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

The arrest came eight days after Durham investigators were called to 405 Gattis St. early Feb. 11.

Members of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity threw a party at the rental property where one member of the fraternity and three other Duke students lived.

The party drew more than 50 people and spilled outside the duplex.

The 18-year-old accuser told investigators she was sexually assaulted about 3 a.m. in a bathroom. She went to Duke University Hospital, according to police radio reports.

Burch is not registered as a student at any college or university, according to police. He was arrested Monday morning as he left his job at the Rose's department store on N.C. 54.

Investigators have released few details about the case, including whether the suspect crashed the party or was invited.

During the week after the allegations, investigators interviewed many students about what they remember from that Saturday and Sunday.

Because of the media interest in the case, Duke administrators have found temporary housing on campus for the four residents of the duplex.

"We wanted them to be able to concentrate on their classes," said Larry Moneta, vice president of student affairs. "Right now, my priority is that the woman and her friends are getting the support they need."

(snip)

[RegulatorCountry]

Phffft. I guess the State Bar is an out-of-state heckler. This guy is coming completely unglued.

[maggief]

Duke Lax ping!

[twonie]

Thank you for the picture. Clears everything up. And you STILL can't make this stuff up, as the earlier post stated.

[Sue Perkick]

"He's been loyal to the community. He's been faithful to the community."

He's pandered to the "community". Big difference.

[Enterprise]

Hopefully the next appreciation luncheon for the Fong will be at his new residence, the homeless shelter.

[Sue Perkick]

And advocate of house burning.

[Tarheel]

He's pandered to the "community". Big difference.

He started this debacle by pandering to this 'community' and it looks like he is still trying to play the same card.

[Neverforget01]

Whuch Lax player was forced to live in his car? Guess this case is different...:(

[maggief]

"As team captain, Matt was living in the house at 610 N. Buchanan. With angry protestors surrounding the house, the media in frenzy, and the New Black Panthers in town, Matt was forced to leave the house. With no safe haven to go, at one point, he was living out of his car."

http://friendsofdukeuniversity.blogspot.com/2006/05/letters-from-friends-2.html#c116951294294999551

[Guilty by Association]

Here's something worthy of a list ping, as well as a new thread: Another courageous Duke Professor (of a REAL subject) speaks out.

http://media.www.dukechronicle.com/media/storage/paper884/news/2007/02/20/Letters/Time-To.Address.The.Real.Classroom.Issue-2730355.shtml

[There's millions of'em]

Perhaps the 2d annual DA Appreciation Week will be held in the Warden's office.

I'm sure Mike has a lot of supporters in there.

[Jezebelle]

This is comical. :>

Liefong's biggest supporter is the local black racist lying gadfly.

[Jezebelle]

:> I'm stealing it.

My best friend's husband is an engineer. Their son, Anthony, is graduating from law school in a couple months and will be taking the state bar exam.

I can hardly wait for their next family dinner party so I can razz Anthony with your rhetorical comeuppance. ;>

[jackieaxe]

DAs are suppose to protect innocent people from the vultures of society, not the other way around. DA Nifong should be in jail, not being feted by his fellow DAs.

[Dukie07]

Thanks for the link. Very good reading!

[Locomotive Breath]

Have fun. Let me know how it goes. :)

[JLS]

Very very interesting letter. This part of it is in my mind the important part:

"However one hears stories, many with the ring of truth, about classroom discussions and even instructor's lectures on the subject that clearly assumed the worst and suggested retribution against the players. There is even a case in which retribution may have been taken in terms of grades. It is these things that ought to be brought into the open and discussed, because if true they outweigh in importance to Duke anything that seems to have happened at the Party From Hell.

There must be students (other than the players, who are reasonably keeping quiet) who know about these things. They should open up about them."

Lawrence Evans is a Professor Emeritus of Physics. His status as emeritus means he is retired. He must be retired but still teaching a class here or there or maintaining an office and research.

[abb]

Ping for Hannity & Colmes tonight, Tuesday, February 20, 2007.

http://z9.invisionfree.com/LieStoppers_Board/index.php?showtopic=2182

[NeoCaveman]

It's D.A. appreciation week.

[Guilty by Association]

"Thanks for the link..."

My pleasure. Is this (the one we're on now) still the "current" thread?

[JLS]

As far as I know, this is the current thread. Maggief pinged people here using the vacationing howlin's list. I linked to this one from the past thread on the arrest in the recent rape case. I am not sure if abb is here? It is still a pretty short and current thread so I think we should stay here.

[Rainbow Rising]

Thank goodness it's a whole week instead of just one day. This way I still have time to buy something nice for my District Attorney.

[secret garden]

That's tacky.

[Jezebelle]

I'm sure everybody noticed the $50k bail for Burch instead of the $400k bail for the boys, but nobody has commented on it yet. Some may think it's bias but it may not be. Bail is set, in part, based on the economic status of the accused. $50k to Burch may be the equivalent of $400k to the boys, so I don't find it suspect at the moment. The thing to watch for is what happens at a bail reduction hearing. If it gets lowered to, say, $10k with a 10% cash provision, then there's a clear bias at work. If Burch's attorney asks for a bail reduction and Nifong doesn't fight it, I would view it as his retribution/slap against lax defense attorneys and the white population of Durham in general.

[Jezebelle]

Since this appears to be the new thread, I'll just post this here even though it's not about the luncheon.

Michael Jermain Burch:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/apps/offender/offend1?DOCNUM=0056541&SENTENCEINFO=yes&SHOWPHOTO=yes

Nothing very serious, but it looks like he's a real jerk.

[Jezebelle]

Oops, wrong dude. Sorry. I think that's probably his dad.