Lacrosse players face old charges (Nifong retaliates against Duke Lax)

News & Observer ^ | April 25, 2006 | Benjamin Niolet and Joseph Neff

[abb]

DURHAM - District Attorney Mike Nifong plans to reinstate misdemeanor charges against a half-dozen Duke lacrosse players, saying a March 13 party where a woman reported a rape broke the deals that the players made with prosecutors.

Nifong's decision could affect players who, before the party, had entered agreements in which prosecutors would dismiss the cases if the players performed community service and stayed out of trouble for six months or a year. Among the first to have his charges reinstated was David Evans, one of the team captains who lived at 610 N. Buchanan Blvd., the site of the party in which lacrosse players hired two women from escort services to dance. One of the women told police that she was raped by three men in a bathroom.

Two players, Collin Finnerty, 19, and Reade William Seligmann, 20, were charged last week with first-degree rape, first-degree sex offense and first-degree kidnapping. Their attorneys say the men are innocent.

On Monday, an attorney for Seligmann filed a motion seeking information that would help attack the credibility of the woman, the only person, according to the defense filing, who says a rape occurred. The motion seeks information about the woman, including criminal charges, mental and emotional problems the woman has suffered as well as social services, probation, child protective services and victim's advocacy records.

Today, Finnerty is due in a Washington court where prosecutors in an assault charge are considering whether to revoke a deferred prosecution agreement similar to those affecting other players in Durham.

According to court records, 16 players were charged in the past three years with misdemeanor charges in Durham including noise violations, public urination and alcohol violations. The deals placed the men on probation for either six months or a year.

[maggief]

Thanks, got it. "What a piece of work."

I'm over my craving ... I made the mistake of clicking the BJ Clinton video.

[abb]

I just had another attack of thought... Maybe that's why Nifong went public so loudly early on. He knew he didn't have a case in court, so he thoght his next best shot was a trial by DBM.... Just a though...

[abb]

Would have to eyeball the AV to make a judgement on that one, LOL...

[JLS]

Nope, Nifong went loudly and early public because of the primary date. That is the only important fact in this case to him.

[sissyjane]

So now you need a barf bag?

[abb]

Nope, Nifong went loudly and early public because of the primary date. That is the only important fact in this case to him.

I have to agree. Much more logical...

[xoxoxox]

None of this matters...
Barking up the wrong tree-
Look in a different forest...
Follow the DNA.

[snarkytart]

Nope, Nifong went loudly and early public because of the primary date. That is the only important fact in this case to him.

______________

I think so too, he needed name recognition over Freda Black, who is well known *SEE PETERSON CASE*.

[Locomotive Breath]

Well, I think he initially thought he had a real case to which he could attract the media, win the election, and be a genuine hero. As I said in a thread about two weeks ago, at the beginning, in his liberal bleeding-heart kind of way he probably thought his course of action was pure and that he could benefit from it at the same time. In other words, he was "trying to do well by doing good". By the time he found out there was no case it was to late to pull back although if he were willing "to be a man" he could have done so and simply taken his deserved lumps. Instead, he is desperately hanging on and making himself look even worse than if he had dropped the case after the DNA came back.

[maggief]

Did you see this one, (sorry, off topic again)?



-50lbs and with cleavage, mind you. *shudder*

[gop_gene]

Nifong said he will reinstate the charges against players whose deferred prosecution deals are still active, unless they can show that they were not at the party.

Now that's just whack. Shouldn't he have to prove they were at the party?

[sissyjane]

UUUmmmmm...In case you haven't heard....There is NO DNA.

[maggief]

They need the DNA of the whomever she was with BEFORE the party.

Boyfriend?
One on one(s)???

[Krodg]

None of the players are shown on the photos, right? < /i>< p> There,was a picture of Reade in a red short sleeve shirt, time stamped at 11:09:25 PM. I remember that one because I thought I saw a large scratch on his hand at that time. Someone jumped in quick and said they didn't see any scratch, so I dropped it.

[sissyjane]

Now you're trying to ruin my lunch.

[abb]

Well, I think he initially thought he had a real case to which he could attract the media, win the election, and be a genuine hero. As I said in a thread about two weeks ago, at the beginning, in his liberal bleeding-heart kind of way he probably thought his course of action was pure and that he could benefit from it at the same time. In other words, he was "trying to do well by doing good". By the time he found out there was no case it was to late to pull back although if he were willing "to be a man" he could have done so and simply taken his deserved lumps. Instead, he is desperately hanging on and making himself look even worse than if he had dropped the case after the DNA came back.

Dunno, LB. He had to know the whole thing was weak from the start, unless (as we have all speculated) he's the most colossal dumba$$ in recorded history. LOL, I would like to take a peek inside his skull. Bet it's absolutely full of snakes...

[maggief]

That's the problem ... he can't. LOL

The defense offered to show Nifong the photos and he balked. He was reduced to calling an MSNBC reporter to describe what she saw in the few(cropped?) photos the defense gave to Abrams. Pathetic.

[snarkytart]

This is true. Nifong did not even need to drop the case when he knew there was no forensic evidence. He could have just SLOOOOOOOOOWED down and told the press it is being investigated. But NO, Nifong went full steam ahead, and now, according to reports, his on police department is not happy with his zeal.

[Mad-Margaret]

OT: I can't stand her, but she looks good here. That's a very flattering photo.

[abb]

Seligman? Ok, it's not in dispute that he was there. Cabbie said so and he's defense witness. Other than him and the 3 captains anyone else?