'60 Minutes' interviews Duke lacrosse defendants (DukeLax Ping)

Durham Herald-Sun ^ | October 11, 2006 | John Stevenson

[abb]

DURHAM -- A CBS "60 Minutes" segment on the controversial Duke University lacrosse rape case is expected to air Sunday evening and will include interviews with all three indicted players and Kim Roberts Pittman, the second dancer at the party where the attack allegedly occurred.

CBS would not comment on the show. The network's normal practice is to withhold information about "60 Minutes" broadcasts until a few days in advance.

But Pittman's lawyer, Mark Simeon of Durham, confirmed Tuesday that his client was interviewed. But Simeon ended a telephone conversation before fielding a question about what Pittman told the interviewer.

An exotic dancer at the time, Pittman was with another dancer who claimed she was raped and sodomized by three lacrosse players during an off-campus party at 610 N. Buchanan Blvd. in mid-March.

Pittman since has been quoted as saying the rape charges were "a crock." She also told police in a March 22 handwritten statement that she and the accuser ended their performance when someone at the lacrosse party "brought out a broomstick and ... said he would use the broomstick on us."

"That statement made me uncomfortable and I felt like I wanted to leave," Pittman added. "I raised my voice to the boys and said the show was over."

Pittman said she then asked the alleged rape victim to leave the party with her. But she said the accuser "felt we could get more money and that we shouldn't leave yet."

According to Pittman, the accuser "began showing signs of intoxication" early in the dance performance and was "basically out of it" by the time it ended.

Pittman finally drove the other dancer to a Hillsborough Road grocery store, from which a 911 call was placed to police.

There is nothing about an alleged rape in Pittman's written statement, which is included in public-record court files.

All three defendants also were interviewed for the "60 Minutes" segment, sources told The Herald-Sun. The interviewer is veteran reporter Ed Bradley.

The three -- Collin Finnerty, Reade Seligmann and David Evans -- remain free under $100,000 bonds as they await a trial that is expected to occur next year. Each maintains he is innocent.

Neither they nor their families could be reached Tuesday for possible comment about the CBS show, and their attorneys had no comment.

Defense lawyers apparently will not appear on the television program. Neither will District Attorney Mike Nifong, who has been widely criticized for allegedly rushing to judgment in the case and making inflammatory public statements before he had sufficient evidence.

For the past four months, Nifong has not discussed the situation publicly. He was out of town on business and unreachable for comment Tuesday.

Benjamin Himan and Mark Gottlieb, police investigators in the lacrosse case, also could not be reached. But sources said the two had not been interviewed by "60 Minutes" as of Friday.

The Police Department repeatedly has declined to discuss the lacrosse incident.

It could not be determined Tuesday if a one-time driver for the alleged rape victim, Jarriel Lanier Johnson, was among those Bradley contacted.

"I have nothing to say about it," Johnson told The Herald-Sun by telephone before hanging up.

But Johnson gave police an April 6 handwritten statement about an "appointment," "a job" and a performance the accuser had at three different hotels in two days not long before the alleged rape.

Johnson also said she had sexual intercourse with him during the same time period.

URL for this article: http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-777449.html

[pepperhead]

After seeing that clip and hearing Bradley's comments after it, I feel alot better about what is going to be on the show this Sunday.

[JLS]

The funny part is, it didn't take her that long to tell the truth.

Exactly, she told the truth at first. Then she back off a little to see where her best interest was. People here of course knew what she had said originally, but not the public at large.

She went from crock, to I didnt see anything until she got her deal in place and now she contradicts large Mangum detail. She had never said anything about this yes or no prior to this. So the only real change in her story would be if she has gone from I didn't see anything but think something happened to I didn't see anything and Mangum did not appear hurt or like she had been raped.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

Yes, David is well bred. Having it watched it firsthand in our situation, I could see it in his eyes, though. He's good, but a mother can always see it. I just hope they have a good night light -- my son needed one for about a year. David Evans, Reade Seligman and Colin Finnerty will never see life the same way again. May God bless them and hold the boys and their families in the palm of His hand.

As to Kim, well, there's an old saying about teaching pigs to dance. Mr. Nifong should have had it made into a sampler to hang over his desk.

[Locomotive Breath]

Err...what?

[RecallMoran]

Holy smokes! I was speculating last night about Kim throwing Nifong and the FA under the bus because it was in Kim's interests but . . . my goodness it does look like that is exactly what happened!

Two observations:

1. Ed Bradley made clear that he viewed the case as bogus. Katie tried to pick a bone about "something must have happened in that house" (gee, is she a troll on some of thse boards??) and Ed Bradley smacked her good.

2. Katie Couric has had major plastic surgery. I didn't even recognize the perky one.

[jennyd]

Yea, of course. It's good that she contradicts Precious and appears to be sticking to the truth this time. Frankly I wasn't sure at all she would do that.
And of course public at large does not know that she already told the truth from the very beginning, only to change it because it appeared to be beneficial to her to do so.

[jennyd]

I was never surprised Nifong did that either. I am pretty sure he would have been history by now if he didn't indict anyone, and Freda Black would have been enjoying the DA's job.
And there appears to be no choice but voting for Cheek if one wants Nifong out.

[Sue Perkick]

I noticed that too. I liked seeing him cut Miss Perky off like that. She didn't look like she liked it as much as I did. Not a fan of hers but she does look weird. Like some bad botox put a permanent scowl on her face.

Never thought I'd ever say it but I'm looking forward to 60 Minutes.

[JLS]

I think we can safely say 60 minutes is on the side that it is unlikely a rape happened. 60 minutes is pretty well watched so I want to pose a question:

Has a candidate on a ballot every finished 3rd behind an unaffiliated candidate who has announced they will not serve if elected and a write in candidate?

[mcenedo]

Kimmy is ratting out the other skank whore.

However, she was the slut that sought out media advice on how to capitalize on the situation. Now she is on 60 MIN - she must have gotten some good advice.

She is lying about some aspect of her involvement which will be used to impeach her entire story.

[jennyd]

I guess we will have to wait and see. LOL.

[Locomotive Breath]

Anyone know if it's the same rules as the primary? How much of a plurality does a candidate need to get to win outright and avoid a runoff?

[Dukie07]

"to impeach her entire story"
Only in Mr. Nifong's dreams.

In reality, the only people who have been honest and upfront in this whole mess seems to be the lax players. And look where it's gotten them. Sorry state of the state.

[Dukie07]

I do hope that the old saying, "Right is might" holds true.

[Dukie07]

Hi, LB! I know the answer to your question has been posted before. I just can't recall the answer..... (google is you friend)

[ltc8k6]

http://liestoppers.blogspot.com/2006/10/no-notes-wilson.html

Linwood should have lots of notes, but Nifong has not provided them.

[xoxoxox]

"Anyone know if it's the same rules as the primary? How much of a plurality
does a candidate need to get to win outright and avoid a runoff?"

Durham County Board of Elections

http://www.durhamcountync.gov/departments/elec/FAQ.html

PDF file of sample ballot for Trinity Park precinct (Durham School of the Arts).

http://www.durhamcountync.gov/departments/
elec/2006_Election/Ballots/General/6GNCDURHBallotStyle3.pdf

[Ken H]

http://liestoppers.blogspot.com/2006/10/joan-your-big-tractor-is-here.html

[jennyd]

My belief is whoever gets the most votes wins.
Does not matter by how much.

[Dukie07]

Disclaimer: O/T but I found it interesting..

sorry got sidetracked in google... looky (sorry if this has been posted before).

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35964&page=7&pp=25

Seems others are upset with Nifong - seems he's not paying attention to locking up murderers (in their opinion)