Case Aganst Duke Student Unraveling Fast

ABC GMA | Chris Cummo

[MindBender26]

Breaking overnight from Chris Cummo at ABC GMA:

Case against at least one Duke defemdant unraveling fast.

Defendant Seiligman went to bank ATM while rape supposedly happening.

12:02 Time stamped photos show girl arriving. Girl leaves, comes back, call friends on cell phone does other things. 12:19 Seiligman calls cab dispatcher 12:24 Seiligman takes cab to bank miles away, uses ATM card (photos show it is him.) 12:42 after walking back to dorm, Seiligman uses security card to enter dorm. Does not leave.

Also, Seiligman was never interviewed by cops. DA seeking reelection simply took "Dancers" word that he raped her.

[BooksForTheRight.com]

I would like this to turn into embarassment for the prosecutor and jail for the false accuser. However, I douby it, knowing how things are done when the accused is white and the accuser is a member of America's most priviliged minority group which Can Do No Wrong and Must Never Be Revealed As The Biggest Perpetrators of Crime.

[Locomotive Breath]

Nifong's election is what's driving his actions. I think the defense wants to show Nifong for the boob (that's being kind) he is. If he is defeated at the polls, the case never goes to trial.

[nickcarraway]

An other article explains they already have a written statement from the cab driver detailing what happened.

[maggief]

Abrams reports Finnerty wasn't at the party when the strippers were dancing and not in any of the photos, (linked below). I've read that he was at a restaurant and ID'd by a waiter and six patrons or friends ... not sure though.

Video link:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8004316/


'TODAY' SHOW NEWS VIDEOS

• Abrams discusses Duke party photos

[Raycpa]

These photos are time-stamped to the second and yet, in this small batch, one of them -- by this account -- is precisely at midnight.

Could the time defaults to 12:00 am when its first turned on? Maybe a low battery?

[Law is not justice but process]

"I understand the reasoning behind rape shield laws, but I honestly don't think that reasoning can be squared with the legitimate interests of justice."

Perhaps the shield laws should apply to those accused as well as to those accusing. Conviction needs to be a public record, but why does an arrest that does not result in conviction (unless the accused chooses to release the information themselves)? I know the public wants to know, but when the accuser has anonymity, shouldn't the accused have a chance at it as well?

[JeffersonRepublic.com]

You asked:
"Why would he go to a bank machine in the early morning hours if he was just going back to his dorm? I suppose it's possible that he needed cash for the cabbie to take him back to his dorm, but it says that he walked back to his dorm. Where did the cabbie take him after the bank machine?"

[What did Seligmann do after leaving the bank? The taxi driver remembers taking him to a drive-thru fast-food restaurant and then dropping him off at his dorm. Duke University records show that Seligmann's card was used to gain entry at 12:46 a.m.

In addition to bolstering Seligmann's alibi, the taxi driver's written testimony provided a rare glimpse of color in an otherwise darkened night.

"I remember those two guys starting enjoying their food inside my car, but I'm glad I end up with a nice tip and fare $25," the taxi driver said in his testimony.]

If she was raped, I don't think Seligmann could have done it. Unfortunately for the DA, she claim that she was 100% sure it was Seligmann. She must be lying.

Case closed. Start printing T-shirts "FREE SELIGMANN".

[Locomotive Breath]

That really bites. I hope they make an exception in this case. Exams are in two weeks.

[stayathomemom]

Send it in! Did you see they are having a contest now?

[snarkytart]

Maybe by then they thought the strippers were up to something fishy (after having supposedly locked themselves in the bathroom for 20 minutes.) I certainly wouldn't have touched them or even gone near them lest I leave any trace DNA evidence on them, especially if they were inebriated! Callously taking photos of them stumbling about may well help form a large part of the reasonable doubt in this case.

________________________

Yep, and that might be the reason they took the pics of her on the ground in the first place.

Maybe they were being dickheads and thought it was funny, but maybe they sensed this was turning ugly and wanted pics for backup.

[Locomotive Breath]

There go your billable hours. At least I hope so.

[dirtboy]

The most discouraging thing about this thread is how few FReepers seem to have faith the system will work.

Google "Don Adams Teamsters" to see one reason we became so jaundiced about prosectors. Then Google "lynne abraham" to see what happened to the DA that carried out the malicious prosecution.

The system usually does work in the end to not prosecute the falsely accused, but it fails to mete out justice to those who grossly abuse it. Which just begets more abuse.

[Steve_Seattle]

"They just HAD to list the cost of the private high schools two of the suspects attended."

That is despicable reporting; it is of no relevance whatsoever except to frame public opinion against the two "rich white boys." Just when I think my image of the MSM has hit rock bottom, it goes even lower when I hear this kind of stuff.

[snarkytart]

Abrams reports Finnerty wasn't at the party when the strippers were dancing and not in any of the photos, (linked below). I've read that he was at a restaurant and ID'd by a waiter and six patrons or friends ... not sure though.

Video link:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8004316/


'TODAY' SHOW NEWS VIDEOS

• Abrams discusses Duke party photos

_________________________________


Thanks.

Yet, the DA is running around looking for a 3rd person to indict.

SHAME!

[XJarhead]

Perhaps the shield laws should apply to those accused as well as to those accusing. Conviction needs to be a public record, but why does an arrest that does not result in conviction (unless the accused chooses to release the information themselves)? I know the public wants to know, but when the accuser has anonymity, shouldn't the accused have a chance at it as well?

The problem I see is that members of the public may be able to provide additional information. One of the reasons for releasing the name of the accused is to give the public the chance to come forward with information -- either incriminating or exculpatory. The same applies to the victim. Suppose the victim previously has accused other people of rape without any basis? Or suppose someone saw her earlier that evening doing drugs or turning a trick? I'm guessing you had some cases where publicity either helped solve the crime, or provided additional evidence that was useful in either incriminating or exculpating the accused.

[Locomotive Breath]

And I bet you can get SELIGMANN to be in the add!! That would be too funny.

[Law is not justice but process]

One of the major reasons I am a prosecutor is that I do not have to bill hours. I just get a minuscule paycheck and Thank God every day I am not in private practice.

[Raycpa]

Trying out your material on a new audience?

No, looking for answers. Do you have one?

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

"Ron Jeremy's a freeper. "
I couldn't care less! Have you seen any of his "work?"

[JeffAtlanta]

Why would he go to a bank machine in the early morning hours if he was just going back to his dorm?

You haven't been following this. They made an ATM stop and then drove through a fast food restaurant. The cab driver even remembers them eating some in the cab. He then dropped them off at the dorms and there is a record of his card being swiped at that time.

There is absolutely nothing suspicious or puzzling about this at all.