Thank you for assuming my ignorance. I have followed the case to a degree and have seen the "supporters" of the victim made this a media story. The school decided to punish the team, though it is not clear whether it was for the alleged rape or for bringinmg strippers onto school property. That played right into the media circus. Now the attorneys for the accused have turned to trying this case in the media. They did so because the case was brought into the media by the "supporters" and, sadly, by the D.A.. It is good strategy to try the case in the media, but that does not make it right. Still, the defense attorneys - who clearly want to try this case in the media - were not the ones that put the case in the media to begin with. They are playing the game on the terms the D.A. and the victims "supporters" have chosen - and, at this point, are doing a much better job of it.
The day this case broke in this area, poster board sized fliers sprung up on trees, posters, and cars with every player's face full frontal view. With their names and addresses and huge lettering at the top saying
PLEASE COME FORWARD
You can bet your license that didn't come from the defense.
Marches sprung up, rallies at the house with people banging pots and pans, professors degrading the players in their classes, players being threatened.
Before the defense said one word, Nifong gave 71 interviews -- 71 interviews on national TV -- where he referred to them as "rapists" and "assailants." He stated unequivocally the very first day that they WERE guilty and he was going to prove it with the DNA.
The first defense press conference was on the day the DNA results were returned.
And what did Nifong do when the results came back, NOT proving them guilty? He went to a PEP RALLY over at NCCU and declared them guilty once again, even without DNA.
Please don't try to put this dog and pony show off on the defense. The ONLY reason they're even talking is because he is flat out lying. They have every right to defend their clients while Nifong is polluting the jury pool and pandering for votes.
And if you think the defense is "doing a better job," perhaps it's because the truth is on their side.