Gag order sought in lacrosse case (NAACP Wants Gag Order)

Durham Herald-Sun ^ | May 25, 2006 | PAUL BONNER

[Mike Nifong]

Some of your theory may turn out to be right. I didn't think at first that this case was tied to anything else, however, it's gotten real weird with Baker.

To add credibility to your theory, Crime and corruption has been all through the Durham power structure in the past.
I also think it's clear Nifong got in over his head. He has said he underestimated the Press interest. I think he also
underestimated his chances to do Durham Justice under the radar.

It is very possible Kim or Crystal are informants or have been in the past. Their sentences were ridiculously light. Something is going on there.

I will say that I don't think Nifong needed anything or anyone after he aggressively and publicly pursued the White Devils.

There is also a connection with Nifong and Mark Simeon - Kim's attorney that is advising the Magnum family at this time. Simeon brought the black vote to Nifong according to one report. Simeon and Nifong were political enemies. After Nifong brought indictments he met with Simeon and Simeon agreed to go out and campaign for Nifong and vouch for him with the black community. Simeon is looking for a civil award of some type and he is the one that has met with the Magnum Family and Willie Gary (Famous Black Civil lawyer). Kim Roberts also totally changed her story after signing on with Mark Simeon. Basically, Kim is only marketable if she's on Crystal's side. There is no money for Kim Roberts if she contradicts Crystal's case and there's no heinous crime. But, if she supports Crystal, BET, Essence, JET, Ebony, and on and on. She can be a celebrity in the black community.

I wonder if Baker has a relationship with Simeon? This is like a Ponzi scheme. Simeon has Roberts sign his contract for representation (civil) and I bet he already has Crystal signed. He gets 10% or whatever and Willie Gary will get 30%.

article on Simeon advising Magnum family:
http://www.newsobserver.com/122/story/440843.html

[JLS]

do you really think the people that voted nifong into office PAY TAXES?

Yes. That is one of the arguments for a national sales tax. Drug dealers, tuition scam artists, hookers, etc all pay sales taxes when they make purchases. Voting might be really different in the US if every one paid taxes.

[David Allen]

The judge is always a wild card, though, because you can suddenly lose the one you think you've got and end up with one you didn't anticipate.

I can't imagine any competent criminal defense attorney trying this to a judge, no matter the county. Judges are political animals, and you never know when one will recuse himself, or transfer the case to another. The Jury is what saves the day on criminal defense. You've got a decent shot at having 3 jurors who think well enough to buck the DA, if you make your case.

I'd be shocked if this got tried to a judge. Think of the ability of special interests to lean on one person.

[Mike Nifong]

Well, Bernie Grimm and Susan Filan (Former prosector) didn't hesitate to say it on National TV.

Susan Filan said you hang that cop out to dry.

Bernie Grimm predicted the Police officer would take the stand and deny, deny

Bernie Grimm is a grizzled veteran of the courtroom too.

I know what you are saying, but these veterans are saying this is how it's done

[TommyDale]

Is a bench trial in Durham going to be any better than a jury?

I would think that 12 idiots would be more trustworthy than one corrupt judge. Just my opinion. On the other hand, if I knew the judge was trustworthy, I would prefer him/her to the 12 idiots. I don't personally know any judges in Durham County, nor do I want to. Some other participants on this forum are likely the ones who could answer that.

[JLS]

What if the jury finds them guilty and the Judge does nothing?

They are unlikely to get probation. So they go to prison. After prison they must register as sex offenders probably for the rest of their lives.

These guys have a lot at risk. That is why they want this over however the can get it over. Until you are out of risk of your freedom, you do not care what other people think, you want your freedom secured.

[SwampFoxSC]

[TommyDale]

I was not one of those suspicious of Baker initially, but as I look deeper, I think he's involved or trying to hide something.

Hmmm...neither was I. But now you are making me wonder if Baker's name and number may appear in that cell phone.

[David Allen]

I'm familiar with Martindale-Hubbell, having been in it many, many years, and you're mistaken about the depth of legal talent there. I suggest they know the law of North Carolina and it is as I set out. Unless you've got law that supports your position, you ought to stop suggesting you know otherwise.

[Mike Nifong]

Thanks SwampFoxSC

[NCjim]

I think it's clear that the SBI found no genetic material of any kind on CGM.

Close enough for government work...

[JLS]

We also heard legal experts on the shows (Greta and Abrams) saying the DPD will now Deny it was ever said. Bernie Grim said that I guarantee that they will lie on the stand about the reports of the 20 to 3 and constantly changing story.

Susan Filan on Abrams said that as a DA you hang out that officer to dry.

Not in this case. Unless the defense is lying to the press, it was in the discovery. Nobody is going to get on the stand and deny what was in their notes without a very good explannation.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Good job!

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

BTW--Daughter in law..Mary Cheek Mangum

AV's mother. This is the right Mangum

You are GOOD!
-------
Maggie, check the obit.

[Mike Nifong]

If their notes still exist.

It going to be hard for a Durham PD officer to take the stand and testify that the woman was all over the place and, frankly, unbelievable. They may acknowledge certain things and then answer the opinion questions in support of the Offical DPD position. Is is your professional opinion that the woman was traumatized? Yes.

And then instead of I heard the Captain on the phone it may be I THINK I heard him say. Doesn't take much to shade one way or another.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Alia-did you see the obit?
Post 287?

[JustaCowgirl]

You and I and others who are watching this case closely generally agree on one thing: there is something going on here that is not visible to the outsider's naked eye. And that something, whatever it is, is local and it's ugly and it involves Durham's seamy underside.

I think your theory is less dramatic than mine, but may hold water better. Maybe there's more than one thread running through this, who knows.

One thing we agree on completely: Nifong got in way over his head, and way beyond his level of competence.

I didn't know the stuff about Simeon. He just might be the wild card in all this. There certainly is no shortage of scumbags in this story.

[streeeetwise]

i have been practicing law for decades and won a case at the us supreme court, a criminal case. but, if you are such a genius, then i bow to your skillfull reliance upon martindale hubbell, who by the way, gives me an av rating and has for many years. dont get hostile, i hope you are right.

[Mike Nifong]

BTW, did you guys hear how they found out that 26.5 million veterans had their personal information stolen?

The Computer was never reported stolen, an office rumor alerted someone and they found out it was true.

Seems eavesdropping can be accurate and productive!

This is in regard to the officer overhearing that the AV kept changing her story and was unbelievable and no serious charges were going to come of it.

[js1138]

Get yourself a copy of "Murder on a Sunday Morning," the DVD. You can bet these kids' attornys have seen it. It shows how a good southern lawyer can dismember a lying cop. You can be sure these attorneys will know how to do that.