Posted on 04/21/2006 12:56:01 AM PDT by OakOak
Edited on 04/21/2006 2:52:00 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
At first, a stripper who performed at a Duke University lacrosse team party doubted the story of a colleague who told police she was dragged into a bathroom and raped.
Now, Kim Roberts isn't so sure.
"I was not in the bathroom when it happened, so I can't say a rape occurred - and I never will," Roberts told The Associated Press Thursday in her first on-the-record interview. But after watching defense attorneys release photos of the accuser, and upset by the leaking of both dancers' criminal pasts, she said she has to "wonder about their character."
"In all honesty, I think they're guilty," she said. "And I can't say which ones are guilty ... but somebody did something besides underage drinking. That's my honest-to-God impression."
Attorneys for the 46 players have aggressively proclaimed the players' innocence, citing DNA tests during a public campaign that has included describing and releasing photos from the party.
Those photos, the defense maintains, show the accuser was both injured and impaired when she arrived, and also support the claim that one of the two players who has been indicted would not have had enough time to participate in any assault before he left the party. The district attorney has said he also hopes to charge a third suspect in the case.
The attorneys claim Roberts at first told a member of the defense team that she did not believe the accuser's allegations. They say she has changed her story to gain favorable treatment in a criminal case against her. They note she also e-mailed a New York public relations firm, asking in her letter for advice on "how to spin this to my advantage."
"We believe ... her story has been motivated by her own self-interest," said attorney Bill Thomas, who represents one of the uncharged players. "I think that a jury will ultimately have to decide the question of her credibility."
Roberts, 31, was arrested on March 22 - eight days after the party - on a probation violation from a 2001 conviction for embezzling $25,000 from a photofinishing company in Durham where she was a payroll specialist, according to documents obtained by the AP.
On Monday, the same day a grand jury indicted lacrosse players Reade Seligmann and Collin Finnerty, a judge agreed to a change so that Roberts would no longer have to pay a 15 percent fee to a bonding agent. District Attorney Mike Nifong signed a document saying he would not oppose the change.
"It seems she is receiving very favorable financial treatment for what she is now saying," Thomas said.
Mark Simeon, Roberts' attorney, said the bond conditions were changed because Roberts is not considered a flight risk. Nifong, who hasn't spoken with reporters about the case in weeks, didn't return a call seeking comment.
Roberts' testimony could be vital during any trial of the two sophomores, indicted on charges of first-degree rape, sexual offense and kidnapping.
Other than lacrosse players and the accuser, a 27-year-old student at a nearby university, Roberts is believed to be the only other person at the March 13 party.
Roberts said Thursday she does not remember Seligmann's face, but said she recalls seeing Finnerty - whom she described as the "little skinny one."
"I was looking him right in the eyes," she said.
Although she would not talk extensively about the party, she confirmed some of what the other dancer told police - including that the women initially left the party after one of the players threatened to sodomize the women with a broomstick.
The players' attorneys have said their clients were angry and demanded a refund when the women stopped dancing, but Roberts disputed that.
"They ripped themselves off when they started hollering about a broomstick," she said.
The accuser told police that the women were coaxed back into the house with an apology, at which point they were separated. That's when she said she was dragged into a bathroom and raped, beaten and choked for a half hour.
Later, police received a 911 call from a woman complaining that she had been called racial slurs by white men gathered outside the home where the party took place. The defense has said it believes the second dancer at the party made that call.
Roberts then drove the accuser - whom she reportedly had just met that night - to a grocery store and asked a security guard to call 911. The accuser was described later by a police officer as "just passed-out drunk."
The defense timeline is backed up by a cab driver who said Seligmann called for a ride at 12:14 a.m., and was picked up five minutes later. The defense argues that if the dancers were performing around midnight, Seligmann would not have had enough time to participate in the 30-minute assault described by the accuser.
The cabbie, Moez Mostafa, also said he saw a woman leaving the party in anger, and overheard someone say, "She just a stripper. She's going to call the police."
"She looked, like, mad," he said of the woman. "In her face, the way she walked, the way she talked, she looked like mad."
On Thursday, authorities released warrants detailing their search earlier this week of Finnerty's dorm room. Seized during the search were a newspaper article and an envelope addressed to Finnerty.
Also Thursday, 5W Public Relations, a New York firm that specializes in "crisis communication," distributed an e-mail signed "The 2nd Dancer," and Roberts confirmed she sent it after learning the AP knew her identity.
"I've found myself in the center of one of the biggest stories in the country," she wrote. "I'm worried about letting this opportunity pass me by without making the best of it and was wondering if you had any advice as to how to spin this to my advantage."
Ronn Torossian, 5W's president, said he replied, but got no response.
"If this person is indeed who they say they are, I would be happy to speak with her," said Torossian, whose firm has represented the likes of Sean "Diddy" Combs, Ice Cube and Lil' Kim.
Roberts, like the accuser a divorced single mother who is black, took umbrage at the notion that she should not try to make something out of her experience. She's worried that once her name and criminal record are public, no one will want to hire her.
"Why shouldn't I profit from it?" she asked. "I didn't ask to be in this position ... I would like to feed my daughter."
Roberts is bracing for an all-out attack, but said she's almost past caring.
"Don't forget that they called me a damn n####," she said. "She (the accuser) was passed out in the car. She doesn't know what she was called. I was called that. I can never forget that."
Roberts, 31, was arrested on March 22 - eight days after the party - on a probation violation from a 2001 conviction for embezzling $25,000 from a photofinishing company in Durham where she was a payroll specialist, according to documents obtained by the AP.
I'm not sure if she's paid the 24,900.55 restitution. It's still open.
For the record Kim is about a foot shorter than the "LITTLE skinny one."
OFFENDER HEIGHT (IN INCHES): 64
OFFENDER WEIGHT (IN LBS): 150
I'll bet Kim wishes she had had Crystal's lawyer
Crystal carjacks a taxi and tries to run over an LEO after a reckless high speed chase. She only gets misdemeanors.
Kim the white collar criminal gets nailed for a felony.
Interesting, that there was another rider in the cab -- so he's a second alibi witness for Seligman. But the tall, skinny accused kid says he wasn't even at the party at the time. Probably has witnesses, too.
People behave stupidly in the heat of anger, especially if they think they're victims and 'entitled'. Thank you, Jesse Jackson and the MSM. Rape is easy to yell, especially if you're worried about cops, your own background, if you'll lose your kids, college. Attack first and hope for the best. (Besides, if they were called the "N" word, anything goes. The sky's the limit. Rape, sodomy with a broom stick, brutal beating, whatever.)
Don't have time for extensive search. Looking for "Kim Roberts" returned no result. Anyone can search the archive and get a summary. If someone can narrow it down for me I can get it.
I bet Kim would say just about anything to stay out of jail.
Aha!
ROBERTS,KIM MERA Case Number
2000CRS062381 County Code
310 County Name
DURHAM
Address 1
Address 2
City
DURHAM State
NC
Zip
277040000 Race
B Gender
F Date of Birth
Jun 18 1974
Citation Number
Trial Date
Sep 7 2004 District Court Case Process Type
W Superior Court Case Type
I
Defendant State Identifier
NC0886953A Defendant In-Jail Indicator
Date Case Served on Defendant
Aug 31 2000 Check Digit Number
AM4243G
Local Identification Number
KRBF7858M-310 Originating Agency Routing Identifier
NC0320100 Case Office Location Code
Court Type
Criminal Superior Court
Date of Update
Mar 24 2006 Domestic Violence Charged Flag
Victims Rights Act Flag
Alias Name(s)
none found
Offenses
Case Number
2000CRS062381 County Code
310 Offense Sequence Number
51 Charged Offense Code
2718
Charged Offense Type
Felony Charged Offense Description
EMBEZZLEMENT Charged Offense Statute Number
14-90 Arraigned Offense Code
2718
Arraigned Offense Type
Felony Arraigned Offense Description
EMBEZZLEMENT Arraigned Offense Statute Number
14-90 Convicted Offense Code
2718
Convicted Offense Type
Felony Convicted Offense Description
EMBEZZLEMENT Convicted Offense Statute Number
14-90 Called and Failed Date
Sep 7 2004
Failure to Appear Date
Order for Arrest Date
Sep 20 2004 Convicted Offense Class
H Plea Code
GU
Verdict Code
GU Method of Disposition Code
JU Offense Disposition Date
Dec 11 2001 Fine Amount (whole dollars)
00000
Court Costs Amount (whole dollars)
0115 Restitution Amount
24900.55 Monies Paid Indicator
N Monies To-Be-Paid Date
Dec 11 2004
Non-Motor Vehicle Fail-To-Comply Date
Show-Cause Order Date
Probation Violation Date
Motor-Vehicle Failure-To-Comply Date
Special Condition
8-11-03 PROB MODIFIED Charged Offense Date
Blood Alcohol >= 0.16
Prior Points
Judge Initials
District Attorney Initials
Domestic Violence Convicted Flag
Case Number
2000CRS062381 County Code
310 Offense Sequence Number
51 Charged Offense Code
2718
Charged Offense Type
Felony Charged Offense Description
EMBEZZLEMENT Charged Offense Statute Number
14-90 Arraigned Offense Code
2718
Arraigned Offense Type
Felony Arraigned Offense Description
EMBEZZLEMENT Arraigned Offense Statute Number
14-90 Convicted Offense Code
2718
Convicted Offense Type
Felony Convicted Offense Description
EMBEZZLEMENT Convicted Offense Statute Number
14-90 Called and Failed Date
Sep 7 2004
Failure to Appear Date
Order for Arrest Date
Sep 20 2004 Convicted Offense Class
H Plea Code
GU
Verdict Code
GU Method of Disposition Code
JU Offense Disposition Date
Dec 11 2001 Fine Amount (whole dollars)
00000
Court Costs Amount (whole dollars)
115 Restitution Amount
.00 24900 Monies Paid Indicator
. Monies To-Be-Paid Date
55N20041
Non-Motor Vehicle Fail-To-Comply Date
211 Show-Cause Order Date
Probation Violation Date
Motor-Vehicle Failure-To-Comply Date
Special Condition
Charged Offense Date
20000 Blood Alcohol >= 0.16
1 Prior Points
14
Judge Initials
00 District Attorney Initials
ALS Domestic Violence Convicted Flag
D
Case Number
2000CRS062381 County Code
310 Offense Sequence Number
01 Charged Offense Code
2718
Charged Offense Type
Felony Charged Offense Description
EMBEZZLEMENT Charged Offense Statute Number
14-90 Arraigned Offense Code
2718
Arraigned Offense Type
Felony Arraigned Offense Description
EMBEZZLEMENT Arraigned Offense Statute Number
14-90 Convicted Offense Code
Convicted Offense Type
none found
Convicted Offense Description
Convicted Offense Statute Number
Called and Failed Date
Failure to Appear Date
Order for Arrest Date
Convicted Offense Class
Plea Code
Verdict Code
Method of Disposition Code
WP Offense Disposition Date
Feb 23 2001 Fine Amount (whole dollars)
Court Costs Amount (whole dollars)
Restitution Amount
Monies Paid Indicator
Monies To-Be-Paid Date
Non-Motor Vehicle Fail-To-Comply Date
Show-Cause Order Date
Probation Violation Date
Motor-Vehicle Failure-To-Comply Date
Special Condition
8-11-03 PROB MODIFIED Charged Offense Date
20000 Blood Alcohol >= 0.16
1 Prior Points
14
Judge Initials
District Attorney Initials
Domestic Violence Convicted Flag
D
Case Number
2000CRS062381 County Code
310 Offense Sequence Number
51 Charged Offense Code
2718
Charged Offense Type
Felony Charged Offense Description
EMBEZZLEMENT Charged Offense Statute Number
14-90 Arraigned Offense Code
2718
Arraigned Offense Type
Felony Arraigned Offense Description
EMBEZZLEMENT Arraigned Offense Statute Number
14-90 Convicted Offense Code
2718
Convicted Offense Type
Felony Convicted Offense Description
EMBEZZLEMENT Convicted Offense Statute Number
14-90 Called and Failed Date
Failure to Appear Date
Order for Arrest Date
Convicted Offense Class
H Plea Code
GU
Verdict Code
GU Method of Disposition Code
JU Offense Disposition Date
Dec 11 2001 Fine Amount (whole dollars)
00000
Court Costs Amount (whole dollars)
115 Restitution Amount
.00 24900 Monies Paid Indicator
. Monies To-Be-Paid Date
55N20041
Non-Motor Vehicle Fail-To-Comply Date
211 Show-Cause Order Date
Probation Violation Date
Motor-Vehicle Failure-To-Comply Date
Special Condition
Charged Offense Date
20000 Blood Alcohol >= 0.16
1 Prior Points
14
Judge Initials
00 District Attorney Initials
ALS Domestic Violence Convicted Flag
D
Witnesses
Witness Name
PARRISH,G,L Case Number
2000CRS062381 County Code
310 Agency Code
CPD
Witness Name
PARRISH,G,L Case Number
2000CRS062381 County Code
310 Agency Code
CPD
Judgement
Case Number
2000CRS062381 County Code
310 Case Year
2000 Offense Sequence Number
51
File Number
Offense Number
Sentence Length Minimum
005 Sentence Length Minimum Frame
M
Sentence Maximum
006 Sentence Maximum Frame
M Sentence Type
C Probation Length
036
Probation Length Frame
M Supervised Probation Flag
Y Credit for Time Served
0000 Consecutive Sentencing Indicator
Community Service Length
0050 Community Service to be Completed Within
006 Assessment
Community Service License Revocation
Community Service License Revocation Compliance
Enhanced Firearm Penalty
N Sentencing Service Plan
Special Probation Length
0
Special Probation Active Time Frame
Custody Of
Impact Program
Program Name
Residential Program Length
0000 Residential Program Length Frame
Electronic Monitoring/House Arrest
0000 Electronic Monitoring/House Arrest Frame
Intensive Probation Supervision
0000 Day Reporting Center
0000 Day Reporting Center Frame
Special Conditions for Sex Offender
N
Just a thought. Remember Jewel...the security guard at the Atlanta Olympics? (Accused of that bombing and all but lynched by the press.) He sued various papers and MSM won. I wonder if that's why Nancy Grace decided to take a night off and pick up trash at her alma mater. Her behavior on her MSNBC show on Wed. night was outrageous. Not even an attempt at fairness.
"Roberts, 31, was arrested on March 22 - eight days after the party - on a probation violation from a 2001 conviction"
Anyone know what the probation violation was?
I can't wait to hear the alibi of the "little skinny one." His attorney is wise sit back and watch the DA's case implode.
Right, it was Tuesday night when Nancy Grace practically foamed at the mouth with rage.
Kim probably has a drug problem which is the reason for embezzlement. Working "self-employed" would be the logical consequence of getting caught for embezzling and for the probable wage garnishments that follow.
IMO Nancy Grace is one woman that definitely needs either to enroll in Anger Management classes or get psychiatric treatment to uncover the root cause(s) of her hatred of men.
It's unbelievable that one, let alone three drunken kids could pull of a brutal rape without leaving one single hair, one skin cell, one drop of semen on the victim. (Her clothes aren't disturbed or ripped. Not even dirty!) Meanwhile, the DA has sent their DA to another lab, hoping to hit the jackpot. The whole mess is beyond belief.
Looks like domestic violence flag.
Now we know why she wanted out of that Kroger so fast. She had an active warrant.
*shrug* I don't think the 25,000 was ever paid..maybe that is what the probation violation was for?
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