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I have previously read the "Case Narrative" by K. C. Johnson and found something in it that, if true (and I have no reason not to believe it), places Duke U. in much deeper jeopardy from civil suits than previously imagined. Here is the statement:

" Multiple sources confirm that Coach Mike Pressler, apparently acting on orders from above, instructed the other players not to tell their parents about the police inquiry. Meanwhile, Dean Sue Wasiolek arranged for a local lawyer, Wes Covington, to act as a “facilitator” in arranging for a group meeting with police.

The night before the meeting, one player broke down and told his father, who happened to be in Durham. Other parents then were informed, and—recognizing the need to obtain competent counsel—postponed the meeting."

I can see 46 lawsuits emerging from this if it can be established to be true. I can see why Brodhead seemed whiny on 60 Minutes. Whether by his direction or not, this is unconscionable to have happened in this case. It makes it appear that Duke was trying to provide the police with the needed candidates for prosecution instead of trying to seek the best for the students committed to their care.

All parents of Duke students should be vigilant in making sure the student does not blindly trust any advice given by someone else when their life and/or liberty are at stake.

Wow! That's astonishing. It was obvious to outsiders at the time that the university's adminitration was going to just throw them to the wolves. But if this is true, it seems like they were also trying to suppress their civil rights while doing it.

No one in their right mind should send a child to that school unless there's a change in it's administration. The prez needs to be booted immediately.

An interesting comment:

Anonymous said...

Texas Mom,

You should know that the "instructions" given to the lacrosse players from the Duke administration went beyond,

(a) Don't tell your parents,

but also included,

(b) Don't seek independent legal counsel, and

(c) Rely upon Duke's recommended legal representation.

It was only after a number of the players began to sense that the legal representative recommended by Duke was clearly putting Duke's interests ahead of that of the players, even to the point of placing the players in extreme legal jeapordy, that some of players decided to disregard Duke's advice and seek their parent's counsel.

If anyone has been surprised by the intensity of outrage felt by many of the Duke lacrosse parents, as a group, at this case, the above facts represent the "lighting of the fuse".

8:40 AM

https://beta.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=32542246&postID=5249534616773486319

You may, or may not, be aware, but any educational institution has the right to insist the students in its care make written statements that may turn out to be not in the student's best interests. David Evans admits he cooperated with the officers, as we have all taught our children to respect authority. You can see the result. Your children MUST be instructed to make no statements and INSIST that their parents be contacted.