Duke lacrosse case may not come to trial until next spring

Belleville News democrat ^ | 05/06/06 | AARON BEARD

[Perdogg]

DURHAM, N.C. - Mike Nifong emerged from his first campaign for public office with a victory and a confident smile, saying he was eager to get back to running the district attorney's office.

He also spent plenty of time during the campaign shunning questions from reporters about the rape investigation against two members of the Duke University men's lacrosse team.

It's a task he'll have to get used to considering the long road ahead.

Nifong said he doesn't expect the case to come to trial before next spring, setting up an intense and lengthy standoff between sides that have refused to budge

[Locomotive Breath]

Agree with snarkytart. People initially heard "Duke lax team rapes black girl" and made up their minds and then stopped paying attention. Bennett got to the game too late.

[snarkytart]

I predict Greensboro for the COV.

____

Well, if that's the case the defense might as well keep it in Durham, because blacks are the majority in the city of Greensboro.
I thought it was the DEFENDANTS who have the right to be tried by a jury of their peers, not the accuser.

[Locomotive Breath]

Well, Greensboro acquitted the Nazi/Klan group in the infamous 1979 shootout. I don't think the demographics have changed that much since then. I also don't think that G'boro is as down at the heels as Durham. So there's less resentment about rich white people or Duke.

[snarkytart]

Well, Greensboro acquitted the Nazi/Klan group in the infamous 1979 shootout. I don't think the demographics have changed that much since then. I also don't think that G'boro is as down at the heels as Durham. So there's less resentment about rich white people or Duke.


___________

Was this a recent aquittal, or was it in 1979???
Also, is Greensboro in Wake County?

The juge could always move the trial to another county, not city.

[TexKat]

Durham District Court Judge Ann McKown explains her reasoning for siding with the prosecution and reinstating an alcohol violation charge to defense attorney Brad Bannon. Bannon was representing Duke lacrosse captain Dave Evans. SHAWN ROCCO, Staff photo by Shawn Rocco

Lacrosse player's charge reinstated

By Ben Niolet, staff writer

A judge on Monday reinstated an alcohol violation against Duke lacrosse team member Dave Evans.

District Court Judge Ann McKown agreed with the prosecutor that a March 13 lacrosse party where underage people drank was not "good behavior." An escort service dancer hired for the party told police she was raped by three men at the event.

Evans was one of three lacrosse captains who lived at 610 Buchanan Blvd. He had two unrelated misdemeanor charges in Durham: one was that he had an open container of beer in the passenger seat of a car; the second was a noise violation at the Buchanan Boulevard house.

Prosecutors had given Evans a deferred prosecution agreement on the two charges. Under the terms of the deal, he was placed on probation, had to perform community service and had to stay out of trouble.

In exchange, the state agreed to dismiss the charges. Although he has not been charged with any crime stemming from the March 13th party, a prosecutor said his behavior that night is inconsistent with the deferred prosecution deal. Under the deferred prosecution agreement, Evans had to admit responsibility.

On Monday, McKown ordered a $100 fine for the alcohol charge; the noise violation will be heard at a later date. Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong has said he expects to reinstate charges against a half-dozen players unless they can show they weren't at the party.

[TexKat]

Charges Reinstated Against Duke Lacrosse Player - WRAL

[Howlin]

He's just damn mean, isn't he?

[TexKat]

He's just damn mean, isn't he?

And you know it!

Wonder if Nifong is praying and hoping that cameras will be allowed into the court room if this thing ever goes to trial.

[Locomotive Breath]

G'boro not in Wake County but in Guilford Co (of the famous Revolutionary War Battle of Guilford Courthouse partially portrayed in Mel Gibson's movie "The Patriot").

The acquittal was in 1979 but G'boro has not had the explosive growth and level of influx of "outsiders" of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill. I think the nominal demographics of G'boro are similar, but here's how G'boro might be different (i.e. more favorable to the Dukies.)

Members of population don't work menial jobs at Duke or know someone who does.

Members of population don't attend NCCU or know someone who does.

Members of population have never interacted with Duke students to form negative impressions.

Members of population are not the left-wing granola-crunching faculty, students, and other hangers-on associated with a liberal university like Duke and the bleed-over from nearby Chapel Hill.

Speaking of which, adjacent to Durham County is Orange County of which Chapel Hill is a part. It would be a disaster as a COV.

[snarkytart]

Goodness. Is there any reasonable judge in Durham to stop the runway prosecution?

I feel sick. Nifong wins the election. A new Gallup poll shows the majority AGREE with the charges. The prosecutor makes a sweet deal with Kim for her felony, but reinstates charges against the team captains for their misdemeanors.
I am in a different universe, I guess.

[snarkytart]

Why what is Chapel Hill?

[Carolinamom]

From Dictionary.com

MEAN......synonyms: low, base, abject, ignoble, petty, spiteful, niggardly, cruel, malicious, small, etc.

Describes Nifong to a T.

[snarkytart]

Agree.

Is the 100 dollars the only punishment that comes with the reinstatement?

[Carolinamom]

I don't know. Nifong will think of something, I'm sure. See the terms. It sounds like he's still trying to discover who was and who was not at the party. THEN he will eliminate them from the faux lineup pix and give Crystal another go at I.D.ing the 3rd team member. I put nothing beneath this SOB.

[abb]

Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong has said he expects to reinstate charges against a half-dozen players unless they can show they weren't at the party.

IIRC, Evans was interviewed by investigators early on and stipulated that he was at the party, which in hindsight was a mistake. To my knowledge, the three team captains and Seligman are the only Lax players who've admitted they were there. I would think Nifong would have to prove other players were there if he wants to reinstate charges. Evans is the only player he's got anything on, and if he'd kept his mouth shut early on, he would be in the clear...

[sissyjane]

Yes. I'm thinking of adding on in case there really is a trial.

You can all come and we'll go over for the festivities!


Me too-Me too!!!

[Locomotive Breath]

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, routinely referred to locally as "Chapel Hill"

[Locomotive Breath]

And because of that and the relatively large size of UNC the populace is more reliably liberal than any other county in the state.

[Neverforget01]

Evans is the only player he's got anything on, and if he'd kept his mouth shut early on, he would be in the clear...

Sure explains the "wall of silence" doesn't it. They would have to be stupid not to keep their mouths shut.Being honest only brought on more trouble.

I'd love to ask Kimberly Guilfoyle if she would "Stand up and be a Man" in the Durham environment? Admit that you were there so we can find something to charge you with? No thanks!

[ladyjane]

I'd love to see a comparison of 'attractive women' versus 'unattractive women' in terms of whether they believe the charges are true. Most attractive women have experienced unwanted aggressive attention. Thanks to our past president the 'one free grope' rule prevails.