Nifong didn't want to REALLY know. It would have messed up the indictment. Pure negligence on his part.
I think this article by N&O is a major turning point in the whole mess. Nifong was ok as long as the local mag basically supported him. Mark my words - this opens the door to a LOT of media condemnation of Nifong. I think it is going to get really really ugly for him now. The whole concept of "southern justice" is going to be replayed. Crooked and racist cops (referring to the incident in Raleigh), crooked judge, crooked prosecutor. All the stereotypes are going to come out.