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I'm looking at it a little differently. I don't think this was a premeditated extortion scheme. If that were the case they would have made sure to have sex with at least one of the lax team. Mangum and Roberts are stupid but not so stupid as to create the weak case they now have.

I think Manugm cried rape to avoid being charged by the cops for substance abuse. Maybe she didn't want to go back to the mental hospital. I'm recalling they first took her to a psych outfit (Durham Access?) and only there did she cry rape which got her transferred to Duke Medical Center. (Did we conclude that here a couple of weeks ago? Can't remember.) Maybe another run-in with the cops would have had her children taken away from her and crying rape got her out of that. (I hope child protective services is on her case. If not, what the heck are they good for). Maybe she was worried about her pimp beating her up for an unsuccessful business transaction. No mater her motivations, crying rape gets her off of accusations from anyone and makes her the victim. She thought that she could just simply quietly recant later but she didn't count on Nifong jumping all over it in public. Any motivation for money from Mangum came later and probably came from her family because they believe her. I think Mangum would check out now if she could but it's become too big a deal and she's stuck.

If you look at what the defense asked for yesterday this fits. Among other things, I think the defense is looking for her to have a motivation for a false accusation of rape.

I think Roberts behavior on the night in question indicates that she wanted nothing to do with any of it. We now know she was violating the terms of her parole and the last thing she wanted to do was run into the police. Notice that her 911 call was to bust the chops of the lax team and was made anonymously and specifically said that she herself didn't need the cops. Then she finds she's got the psychotic Mangum in her car and Mangum won't get out. So Roberts tries to dump Mangum on the Kroger guard and get away. Unfortunately, the Kroger guard calls the cops and Roberts is into it up to her eyeballs and gets busted for parole violation. Roberts figures that she's paid whatever price she's going to pay and 1) wants revenge and 2) to cash in.

IMHO

Good analysis and I agree it was more likely a spur of the moment false rape charge. As you post the other day said, behaving just like we would expect the two strippers to behave in the situation.

I agree with the first part of your assertions. I would point out that ONCE MANGUM BECAME A VICTIM, SHE WAS IN THE POSITION OF HAVING TO GIVE CONSENT FOR THE DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTS.