Duke Lacrosse Accuser Made Previous Report

The woman who says she was raped by three members of Duke's lacrosse team also told police 10 years ago she was raped by three men, filing a 1996 complaint claiming she had been assaulted three years earlier when she was 14.

Authorities in nearby Creedmoor said Thursday that none of the men named in the decade-old report was ever charged but they didn't have details why.

A phone number for the accuser has been disconnected and her family declined to comment to The Associated Press. But relatives told Essence magazine in an online story this week that the woman declined to pursue the case out of fear for her safety.

The existence of the report surprised defense attorneys, one of whom has sought information about the accuser's past for use in attacking her credibility.

"That's the very first I've heard of that," said Bill Cotter, the attorney for indicted lacrosse player Collin Finnerty, who along with fellow Duke sophomore Reade Seligmann is charged with first-degree rape, kidnapping and sexual assault. He declined additional comment.

Attorneys for Seligmann asked the court this week to order the state to turn over the accuser's medical, legal and education records, and hold a pretrial hearing to "determine if the complaining witness is even credible enough to provide reliable testimony."

The accuser, a 27-year-old student at North Carolina Central University in Durham, told police she was hired to perform as a stripper at a March 13 party, where she was raped by three men.

According to the Creedmoor police report in August 1996, when the woman was 18, she told officers she was raped and beaten by three men "for a continual time" in 1993, when she was 14. She told police she was attacked at an "unspecified location" on a street in Creedmoor, a town 15 miles northeast of Durham.

The report lists the names of the three men, but no other details. Creedmoor police Chief Ted Pollard said Thursday he had no recollection of the report, and his staff has been unable to find any additional information about it.

Durham police Officer Brian Bishop, who interviewed the accuser in 1996 while working on the Creedmoor force, said Thursday he had a vague recollection of the report but couldn't remember any details.

When asked about the accuser's previous report of rape, Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong declined to comment.

Before Seligmann and Finnerty were indicted, attorneys for the players pointed to the accuser's criminal history when answering questions about their clients' legal troubles. The woman pleaded guilty to several misdemeanors in 2002.

... ... This is how I see it

4 weeks ago: The EVIL GENIUSES used Condoms that couldn't be detected

3 weeks ago: The Drunk players at the KEG party used towels and didn't drop a skin cell, hair, or leave anything under her nails.

2 weeks ago: She was given a Date Rape Drug

This week: A BROOM was used in a small bathroom with 3 HUGE lacrosse players and a 150 lb stripper (with the door closed) and her girlfriend didn't hear or notice anything.
The BROOM wasn't mentioned in the woman's account on the first search warrant (in any way) and the search warrant that was taken before a Judge did NOT direct the investigators to look for or find a BROOM. And the woman didn't have injuries that caused her to stay in the hospital.

NEXT WEEK: She was SHOP-VAC'ed !

You heard it hear first !!!

If my memory is correct, Bennett is on board to make sure things are done correctly. One way I heard it stated was to make sure the process was done correctly. IOW, to keep an eye on the prosecution.

He is not representing the lax players per se and he was hired by a (?)group of alumni.

Bennett does not come cheap. I am sure there are other attorneys qualified to keep an eye on the process. But he is high profile.

That's alot of money to put out for merely "watching the process"

I have to go back now and look. Is the judge honest or corrupt? What was the final resolution of the prostitution case? Sometimes "having a long memory" means you may have won the battle,but not the war.

Also, didn't we hear the foreman of the grandjury met with the judge the day of the indictments? Isn't that unusual?

http://www.nccourts.org/County/Durham/Staff/Superior.asp

The Honorable Ronald L. Stephens
Judge Stephens received his Juris Doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was appointed special Superior Court Judge in 1994 before being elected in 1995. Prior to serving on the Superior Court bench, Judge Stephens served as the District Attorney of Durham County, practiced law with his private firm of Pulley, Wainio, Stephens & Lambe, and also served as an U. S. Army Helicopter Pilot during the Vietnam War.

http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/mod_print_view.cfm?this_id=236286&u=durhamcvb

Since 1992, Ms. Gurney has served as regional GAL administrator, overseeing program development in 15 judicial districts (44 counties) from her office in Downtown Durham. Last October, Cy spearheaded a 20th Anniversary Celebration for the GAL program, holding the three-day event at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center in Southeast Durham. More than 500 judges, attorneys, volunteers, and others attended from across the state.

http://www.herald-sun.com/durham/4-729615.html

"Yeah, I get a lot of my support from lawyers," Nifong conceded. "There's no doubt about that. What attorneys want is a guarantee they will be treated fairly and equally. The fact that so many attorneys have contributed to me is a sign that they see those qualities in me. They don't want special favors as long as they know no one else is getting them."

Did the AV know the names (addresses) of the LAX players before she looked at the line up? Had she seen pictures with names prior to identifying?

All she had to do was pick up any number of papers - or even the USA-Today to see their names and pictures (and criminal records). There are two things here that are interesting. The 2nd stripper was following the case very closely in the media and knew all the details. Dan Abrams played clips to illustrate this very thing. Abram's opinion was that she knows this case inside and out.

The other odd thing is that she (an alledged victim) met with several attorneys early on. Any of these people wishing to represent her (or later in a Civil trial) could've ran an asset check in 10 minutes. The attorney
in her old case (larceny, assualt on an offical, etc.) said on TV, very early on that she had made contact with him shortly after the incident.

I warn people on some threads not to take a photo on a Megan's Law website at face value.

I concur with your sentiment. In many instances of divorce and child custody, mothers used the "he molested the kid" false allegations in order to receive primary custody. For example.

What is worse, dead silence(it never happened), or harping on the whole incident???

Yep. Well, I don't advocate dead silence in these matters. But the human psyche has an amazing talent for healing when surrounded by love, tough love, and encouragement to seize each day as another gift.

Bad "things" happen to every single person on the Earth regardless of income, race, creed, ethnicity, nationality. In the 70s, however, feminists set the stage for platforming on a mass scale that rape and molestation were worse than murder, and any other types of suffering. This PR tactic has led to a lot of chaos, confusion, and obfuscation in our courts of law.

In the case I was sharing, the young lady put the child up for adoption. I keep them in my prayers.

In re your case -- I pray for his release from such abuse. He is so not alone; there are many other men in the same position as the man whose story you've shared.

I don't think he owns property.

Question:

If she had her car that night before why did dad drive her to the store to buy soda and candy for the kids?

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/17/ng.01.html

TRAVIS: I`m sure. And she was happy and laughing. As a matter of fact, I took her to the store before she left.

GRACE: For what?

TRAVIS: She wanted to go to the store, and get some soda, and get the children some candy before she left.

GRACE: Before she went to the party?

TRAVIS: Yes, yes.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1607267/posts

The retired trucker who lives in Durham said he saw his daughter the day after the reported attack, but she didn't say anything was wrong. She even left her car at the house for several days because he said she didn't want to drive it.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/17/ng.01.html

TRAVIS: Well, I could see the bruises on her face. She had a scratch on her arm. And then I didn`t know the whole -- you know, the whole detail what went on, because she was feeling bad at the time. And she also said her leg was hurting. So I didn`t do much questioning that day. And, of course, she was with her boyfriend, and so he took her home.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12150698/

COSBY: Her boyfriend brought her to your home that day. What time on the 14th did he bring her to your house?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: About 11:00 o’clock that day, on the 14th.

http://www.newsobserver.com/1185/story/434144.html

Published: Apr 30, 2006 12:30 AM
Modified: Apr 30, 2006 02:10 AM

Veteran sarge, novice detective
Partners working Duke rape inquiry

Samiha Khanna, Staff Writer

DURHAM - Benjamin Himan, the lead investigator in the Duke lacrosse case, is an officer with four years' experience who became a detective in January. His partner on the case, Sgt. Mark Gottlieb, has spent 15 years with the Durham police as a patrolman, investigator and supervisor.

(snip)

From the NO article you posted:

There has been a notable absence throughout the most publicized crime investigation in Durham history: Durham Police Chief Steve Chalmers has not once appeared in public to address the community or media. His staff says he is in Durham attending to his mother, who is seriously ill.

Baker, the city manager and Chalmers' supervisor, said the chief is keeping tabs on the investigation.

"I know he always has his Blackberry with him and he gets regular updates about the case," Baker said, referring to the hand-held electronic device that allows its owner to answer phone calls and wirelessly send and receive e-mail. "I don't have any concerns about that other than concern for the welfare of his mother. He's been in and out of the office, but that is not a hindrance to the investigation."

http://www.newsobserver.com/1185/story/434410.html

I have no idea what this means but Steve Chalmers was sworn in on Jauary 6, 2003 as police chief.

There's another page I can't get to:

29. DURHAM -- When Jackie W. McNeil was sworn in as Durham's police
"I've always been very impressed with him," Durham police Chief Steve Chalmers said.
www.heavenlypeace.com/jmcneil.htm [Found on Ask.com]

Also, Crystal's husband's last name was McNeil. RIP McNeil had a son and a daughter. Maybe no connection at all but, interesting on the last names. Anyway.. Jackie W. McNeil, Former Police Chief, Durham

" Jackie W. McNeil, who worked his way through the ranks of the Durham police to become chief only to resign amid controversy, died Saturday. He was 55

A Durham native, McNeil grew up in the city's rough east side, graduating from Hillside High before earning a bachelor's degree from N.C. Central University. After spending three years in the Army, he went to police and fire academy

"When Jackie W. McNeil was sworn in as Durham's police chief in January 1993, he said improving race relations in the department and community would be one of his biggest challenges.

Ex-police chief McNeil dies at 55

BY ERIC OLSON, The Herald-Sun
May 17, 2004 10:40 pm
www.herald-sun.com/sports/nccentral

DURHAM -- When Jackie W. McNeil was sworn in as Durham's police chief in January 1993, he said improving race relations in the department and community would be one of his biggest challenges.

Chief McNeil also was active as an ordained deacon at Greater St. Paul Baptist Church. He drove a school bus for Neal Middle School following his retirement

***

I haven't checked: Who was police chief between Messrs McNeil and Chalmers?

Quite the chummy cirle ...

April 28, 2005

About 120 people jammed a Durham County courtroom Wednesday to watch Jim Hardin Jr. take an oath to don the robes and leave behind his 11-year post as the Durham district attorney.

Humor played a major role in the ceremony, in which Hardin also handed over the reins of his former office to new District Attorney Mike Nifong.

(snip)

Hardin held his hand to a Bible aside his wife as Superior Court Judge Ron Stephens swore him in as a special Superior Court judge. Stephens, who held the same post himself, said Hardin should plan on traveling quite a bit in his new role.

(snip)

Hardin's gubernatorial appointment to the judgeship is for five years. Nifong, his most veteran assistant, was appointed by Gov. Mike Easley to become Durham's interim DA. Nifong will be subject to election next year if he chooses to run.

http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:sMRv0VlZtxMJ:www.mikenifong.com/newsarticles.php+Ronald+Stephens+durham+-lacrosse+hardin+nifong&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1&client=firefox-a

In the course of his career as a prosecutor, Nifong has worked for three different District Attorneys, serving as Chief Assistant under both Ronald L. Stephens and James E. Hardin, Jr., both of whom now serve as Superior Court Judges. He was appointed District Attorney for Durham by Governor Mike Easley on April 18, 2005, and was sworn into that position on April 27, 2005.

http://www.ncdistrictattorney.org/mikenifong/your_district_attorney.htm

Maggie, help me here.

She does her escort stuff, won't get out of Kim's car at Kroger's. Kim asks Security Guard to call 911. Security Guard suggests Crystal is drunk or out of it. Somewhere in here (yes, I know this part).. she gets enroute to Holding tank when she asserts she'd been raped. She gets taken to Duke Med and begins screaming hysterically that she'd been 'raped' and doesn't say by whom. At all.

I have questions at this juncture whether boyfriend picked her up from the POLICE, or police drove her to Duke Med.

After exam by SANE nurse, boyfriend drives her over to her dad's house where she wants her dad to go get her some goodies for her kids.

Who is the boyfriend?

And after such an alleged horrific assault she and boyfriend say NOTHING to the dad at 11:00 am that day?

As has been alleged elsewhere (1993 accusation that she'd been raped by 3 guys), was she afraid her dad would set off after "those" boys?

Or say that "nothing happened"?

Does boyfriend drive Crystal over to where the kids are? Then what?

Was it the dad who went and got the goodies and then took the goodies over to where her kids were? Did boyfriend and Crystal go too? Or stay at the dad's house?

Curiouser and curiouser...

Oak; maggief

Maggie, you have the good memory-do you remember the thread these times were on? I'm sure I am missing some details, but need to know where to look. These are loose ends in my mind.
Timeline starting at Kroger:

911 call made 1:22
Officer arrives at 1:30 says she is passed out drunk
Taken to mental health facility __________ where she would be admitted or pre-admitted

Have you been a patient here before
Do you have a previous psychiatric history
Are you taking any medications
Do you use "recreational" drugs, have a history of substance or alcohol abuse?
Next of kin or who can we notify????? Does facility notify next of kin? Is Crystal allowed to use the phone?

Transferred to ER where she is examined by the SANE nurse. 2:31-unknown Stays aprox 6 hours. Boyfriend arrives at hospital.
Discharged___________

AT WHAT POINT IN THE PROCESS DOES CRYSTAL CRY RAPE??? UPON ARRIVAL? WHEN DOES SHE GO FROM "PASSED OUT DRUNK" TO AN ABILITY TO VERBALIZE? WHEN WAS HER BOYFRIEND CALLED AND HOW DOES THE TIMING RELATE TO THE RAPE CHARGE???

Maybe this has been brought up before, but I assumed she was transferred from the mental health facility to the ER because she first made the claim at mental health.

But, she could have refused admission to mental health. Because she was in no shape to be let loose on the street they took her to the ER thinking that the ER would send her back if needed.

Is the ER and the mental health facility in the same building or under the same Hospital name? If so, maybe she was taken to mental health first, but sent to the ER because it skipped step 1. Most night admissions are done through the ER regardless of where they end up. Did she have access to a phone while waiting to be transferred to the ER?

So then we get into triage...what was ahead of her in priorities at the emergency room? How long did she have to wait? Was she put in a room with a phone? Did she wait in the waiting room where she had access to a phone? Did she use the phone before she cried rape?

The officer who responded to the 911 call from Kroger stands by his statement that she was "passed out drunk."

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