I agree if a parent signed the lease she might have some cause of action against them. Duke is at risk as they deserve to be.
Duke has already acted in a manner consistent with the way a guilty party would act, implying strongly that at least they believed that did something that failed to meet Duke's standard of care.
If she were smart, she'd tell Nifong she wants to pull the plug, then sign her book deal, then sue Duke and settle quickly for a few hundred thou. They'd have alums lined up to put this thing to bed permanently.
If the alums were smart, they'd be trying to buy the book rights from her now.