To kill the Duke lacrossemockingbirds
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
BY GENE SAPAKOFF [Post & Courier, Charleston]
Harper Lee's classic novel, published in 1960, cut brilliantly deep into the tragedy and heroism of bygone Southern culture. It's hard to believe that, all this time after the release of "To Kill a Mockingbird," an extensively documented case in which members of the Duke University lacrosse team are charged with rape brings similar infamy upon a real Southern town.
To be sure, there are differences.
No one has died. Yet.
This is not small-town Alabama of the last century, but instead the South's most prestigious academic beacon.
In this story, which might endure as long as a favorite tattered paperback, the rich white kids from out-of-town are charged with assaulting a black woman from Durham.
But the likenesses are chilling.
Tom Robinson was the victim of a rush to judgment and, if you believe the extraordinary "60 Minutes" piece that aired Sunday night, so are three Duke lacrosse players. -more- cut-
http://www.charleston.net/assets/webPages/departmental/news/Stories.aspx?section=sports&tableId=113709&pubDate=10/18/2006
* The DA's favorite book?
More like a primer.