A vote for Nifong
I am sick and tired of people who accuse Mike Nifong of using the lacrosse case for political gain when they are using the case for their own political purposes. Let's put this mess into perspective. I am a long time Durham defense attorney. I have never tried a case against the district attorney. I have tried cases against Jim Hardin and Mike Nifong when they were assistant district attorneys (ADAs). The vast majority of cases are resolved between defense attorneys and ADAs. Sure the DA needs to understand the law and trial work so he can supervise those working under him, but the ADAs carry the load. Any DA is only as good as the people he gathers around him. He is primarily an administrator not a trial lawyer. He runs an office of several ADAs and a large support staff. Durham County has some of the most experienced, capable, and accessible ADAs that I have worked with. Nifong may have made mistakes concerning the lacrosse case, but he has done his job as an administrator by gathering around him people who do good work. Can we be sure that Lewis Cheek or Steve Monks or whomever the governor might select will surround himself with excellent ADAs? Neither candidate has addressed any issue but the lacrosse case. I will not vote based on a single case. I will vote based on the thousands of cases handled capably each year by the ADAs in Nifong's office. I will vote for Mike Nifong.
L.R. “LEE” CASTLE
Durham
October 13, 2006