Lawyers: Duke Lacrosse DA Heeded Ethics { Nifong }

AP via SFGate ^ | 2/28/7 | AARON BEARD

[SmithL]

Raleigh, N.C. (AP) -- The former prosecutor in the Duke lacrosse sexual assault case did not intentionally break ethics rules, his attorneys argued Wednesday as they sought to keep him from being disbarred.

Attorneys for District Attorney Mike Nifong acknowledged that he made many of the comments the state bar deemed misleading and inflammatory. But they denied that Nifong intentionally withheld DNA evidence from defense attorneys — the most serious of the ethics charges faced by the veteran prosecutor.

"A lot of people have been rushing to judgment on both the underlying case and this case," attorney Dudley Witt said. "And after you allow someone to have a full hearing, I think you will find that he didn't do anything wrong."

[SmithL]

NOW, Nifong wants to avoid a rush to judgment???

[Always Right]

Too late Nifong.

[YaYa123]

"intentions"


Bill Clinton didn't intend to hurt his wife and daughter, he got a pass. I'll never forget Jesse Jackson preaching a sermon on forgiving Bill because of his good intentions, run amok Nifong didn't intend to break ethics rules so I guess he thinks he deserves a break too.

[Dante3]

If the lawyers want us to believe Nifong did not intend to break ethic rules then they will have to prove that he is either totally incompetent or mentally ill.

[HEY4QDEMS]

Don't be surprised if the bean counters in Durham put pressure on the state to put pressure on the bar to rule in Nifong's favor.

Ruling against Nifong increases the likelyhood of a civil suit against Durham which will cost the county large.

[nctexan]

From the N&O account... “Defendant further admits that at the time he made said statements that he did not fully understand the extent of the national media interest in this particular investigation and as such he did not comprehend the effect said statements may have on any matters related to the case.”

One-on-one interviews with the NYT, etc... Sell out crowds at NCCU...

So his defense is that he's just stupid?

[Jack Wilson]

How about 'Needed' ethics?

[CondorFlight]

This is all a political case with lots of political deal-making. What's needed here more than ever is
intense public scrutiny--the defendants are still facing
30-year prison terms because the state is afraid of the political and financial fallout of simply dropping the charges--despite
no DNA evidence, lie-detector tests,
photos and documents and witnesses placing two of the defendants miles away, despite an accuser who can't identify them until getting a rigged photo session,

and who has told a dozen different versions of her story (so far)--why is this case still going on?

Petition for justice in the Duke lacrosse case :

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/208340697

You can help out. A few mouse clicks to keep the lights on in Durham. "Light is the best disinfectant" (Emerson)
And you may help save three innocent defendants who are being railroaded.

[lesko]

Boils my blood how attorneys protect themselves. And when they can't do that, they have other attorneys do it for them. Miscreants!

[Ditto]

The former prosecutor in the Duke lacrosse sexual assault case did not intentionally break ethics rules, his attorneys argued Wednesday as they sought to keep him from being disbarred.

Hummm? In his years as a State prosecutor, I wonder what percent of the the people he sent to prison "intended" to break the law?

[<1/1,000,000th%]

"There's nothing unethical about breaking the law," Nifong's attorneys argued. /sarcasm

[freespirited]

Here is Liefong's entire response. Would be hilarious if he hadn't ruined the lives of three innocent boys and their families.

http://wral.com/news/local/flash/1217989/

[Spirochete]

but they denied that Nifong intentionally withheld DNA evidence from defense attorneys

Uh-huh. He conspired to withhold exculpatory evidence. That's not just an ethics violation.

[AZRepublican]

Those who believe this also believe buba is the most honest man in America.

[Cheburashka]

Well, his lawyers are supposed to make the best case they can for their client, same as everybody else's lawyers. They aren't supposed to say, "Throw him to the wolves!"

But they don't have much to work with, do they? And it's their client's fault.

Snicker, snicker.

[OldFriend]

So, he didn't know the gun was loaded. He fired it at three innocent students and now he's oh so sorry?????????????

[3niner]

The former prosecutor in the Duke lacrosse sexual assault case did not intentionally break ethics rules,...

Nah, he just intended to help his reelection campaign by railroading three young men. The fact that he violated some of those pesky ethics rules to do it, should simply be disregarded.

[Calvin Locke]

Nifong did not intend to break ethic rules

Of course he didn't intend to break the ethics rules. He just wanted to get re-elected, and that case was just the tool.

It wasn't personal. /s

Typical Dems. The end justifies the means. Just ask the Clintons. Or Algor.

[Oldhunk]

If you start reading the complete response, it appears that Nifong admits to most of the allegations. He doesn't seem to be denying that much.