Posted on 08/06/2006 12:27:52 AM PDT by abb
DURHAM - Investigator Michelle Soucie of the Durham Police Department was working the phones the afternoon of April 17, trying to set up DNA tests on evidence in the Duke lacrosse case. A private laboratory in Burlington gave a price, and Soucie immediately contacted District Attorney Mike Nifong.
- snip -
In examining the files Nifong has produced in the case, The News & Observer found that the accuser gave at least five different versions of the alleged assault to different police and medical interviewers and made shaky identifications of suspects. To get warrants, police made statements that weren't supported by information in their files.
- snip -
Much of the district attorney's evidence is contained in more than 1,800 pages of documents he has made available to the defense under a recent state law requiring prosecutors to open their files before trial. Those documents are only part of the evidence that could be introduced in a criminal trial. They do not include information still being gathered or testimony that might occur under oath.
But they offer the most complete picture thus far of evidence in the case that has put Durham and Duke in the national spotlight. The documents -- police notes, court orders, DNA tests, interviews and handwritten statements -- show what the prosecution has learned and how it conducted itself in State of North Carolina vs. Collin Finnerty, Reade W. Seligmann and David Forker Evans, who could face decades in prison if convicted.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsobserver.com ...
It seems ridiculous to lock down a message board simply because some of the participants get a little overheated.
Now that the N & O has finally printed some of the facts, can we look forward to Newsweek doing the same?
(Maybe a cover story, about a corrupt DA, and the corrupt culture of Durham, and how we need to reform our legal
system? THAT would surely be worth a cover--they can use Nifong's picture, too.)
I emailed the story to Susannah Meadows, but got a reply that she was out until August 30...
My exact same thoughts when I read that Sarah. The idea of rape never entered her head until it was suggested, I'll bet. She found her ticket out of Durham Access when the officer said that. JMO.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/libel
Recall Ruth Sheehan's columns early on. This might be a feeble attempt to mitigate some of what was written then. Things that convicted all of the lacrosse players. They were certainly harmed by her writings printed in the N&O.
"I emailed the story to Susannah Meadows, but got a reply that she was out until August 30..."
She's out on the biggest story of her career (the one that got her a cover!) when there are hearings in August which could decide the fate of the case?
Plus a few other things happening--like new DNA facts,
"Rodney King South", etc.?
Yeah, if I were her, maybe I'd be "out", too. . .
(Maybe she and Nifong are vacationing together. . .)
I agree. Referring to Mangum as the accuser rather than the victim is a definite change in tone (and perhaps attitude).
Has anyone seen the dead tree version of this story? Where is it located in the paper? Front page? Above the fold?
Front page, above the fold, headline - i.e. the most prominent placement possible.
p.s. The graphic from post 37 is above the fold and just below the headline.
Off topic, but Reuters has just been busted for photo fakery...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1678623/posts?q=1&&page=101
Lying b@stards. But we knew that already.
The most interesting new "fact" IMO as well. This coupled with the fact that no one knew who she was until after the visit to DA puts the "check on the young uns" transmission in a new light.
Was that made after she left DA? I guess I'll have to dig out the trancscript and look.
Along with all of the "chubby discriptions", I find it interesting that the FA said that:
"Matt" at 270 pounds and getting married the next day.
Getting married the next day? Originally, I believe that the Lax said they were going to perform at a bachelor party. I know this is somewhat insignificant but still strange. Who made the phone call to book the dancers, wasn't it Dan Flannery?
Can you verify?
"This was on the home page of today's NandO
Questions about the case?
Do you have a question about evidence in the Duke lacrosse case? E-mail your question to jneff@newsobserver.com. Include your name and hometown. Our reporters will address your questions and post their answers later this week on newsobserver.com."
http://forums.go.com/abclocal/WTVD/thread?threadID=125948
This is unfrickinbelievable. Nifong should do hard time.
"This is unfrickinbelievable. Nifong should do hard time."
Where is the FBI to investigate the deprivation of civil rights of the players?
What excuse have they got?
The entire Federal government is hiding behind a "wall of silence" and refusing to either get involved or explain why they will not get involved.
Maybe we should do some perp walks on the FBI and DOJ for their discrimination against rich white preppies (and by thereby becoming silent accomplices to all that Nifong does. "Silence gives consent.")
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