Duke Rape Suspect May Have Alibi

ABC News ^ | April 18, 2006 | n/a

[Carling]

I don't know how reliable the reports I heard are, but it has been claimed that the actual indictments were written on April 12th. Nifong could have issued arrest warrants at that time, but instead somebody leaked that at least two suspects were headed to a grand jury on 4/17/06. It is my understanding that the defense lawyers didn't know who was under indictment up until after the sealed indictments were opened. The defense would have had to lay out their case for 46 suspects, not 2. That Nifong didn't choose to see evidence solidifies in my mind that he is going to put Crystal Mangum on trial as well (at least her credibility). It's the only way out for him after his initial circus act.

[Carling]

Bingo.

We're on the same page. Nifong is actually now acting in a professional manner. It's what he should have done from the beginning.

This case is more an indictment on electing judicial branch members than it is on any sort of macro-sociological issue. The May 2nd election is the only reason Nifong jumped on this so quickly and arrogantly.

[investigateworld]

Good points. His timing of events suggests he's thinking election, not convictions.

It's just an absolute pity two young men are going to have to live with the results of his quest for power.

[RS]

It might start to look like some of the Montel episodes - where the 'ho ( sorry, meant poor defenseless victim ) brings in a lineup of men and Montel keeps announcing "You are NOT the father" over and over.

[leilani]

Re: post 119

Wow. Very bleak picture - truly, profoundly sad. Beautifully written, though. (You should do it for a living, if you don't already. This needs to go on an an op ed page somewhere.)

[Carling]

Good points. His timing of events suggests he's thinking election, not convictions.

This is true, but I'll also suggest that Nifong couldn't outright say he doesn't believe Mangum, especially after the police said she gave positive IDs and the medical tests were returned. He can't ignore a positive ID with this "evidence". Which is why he wrote up indictments but wanted to have a grand jury OK them prior to arrest.

It's just an absolute pity two young men are going to have to live with the results of his quest for power.

This first and foremost falls on Crystal Mangum IF (likely) these charges are bogus. Nifong's grandstanding early on added to the public outcry, but Mangum, not Nifong, is the one responsible for the ID on the suspects.

I'm no fan of Nifong, but this isn't completely political at this point. It was a big part of it early on, however, so Nifong deserves a lot of blame for the current social situation in Durham.

[leilani]

I second the bingo. I was going to comment to johnbarleycorn that he seems to be on exactly the same page as you as well.(Thanks for ID'ing yourself Carling.Not that I was trying to pull a Crystal M. here, it's just that that thread had gotten so long it looked to be a day-long process trying to nail down the "perp" of that post, lol.)The more you two post about this, the more I am inclined to agree with you both, as well. Nifong is clearly throwing all the chips up in the air & letting 'em fall where they may after the election is safe behind him.He can't be totally clueless - he knows as well as anyone else that his "victim" & her story have serious issues, as they say.

[investigateworld]

I found it interesting that the officer who did the search warrant and supporting affidavits had less that 5 years on the job (approitmately).
It also appears that outside of Durham PD, he has no experience.
So either this guy has a blue flame or the correct DNA or just the junior guy being stuck with the paper work.
I just can't imagine any agency letting someone of his level working a 'heat' case. Would really like to go to choir practice with the gentleman.