I expect most of you who have been following this on FR are fully aware of the implications of this sort of accusation in the South.
Rape isn't a hand-slap sort of case in North Carolina. If these guys are convicted they won't see the light of day for many years. Defense counsel notwithstanding, nobody around this part of the country wants rapists on the streets. De facto life sentences (30-60 years) are common for first-time rape convictions when there is any kind of aggravating circumstance.
Partially because of a history of lynching, there is an exaggerated concern with "messing" with women of another race. Historically African-americans were subject to being lynched on suspicion, whites were held to very heavy penalties on conviction. Even now, juries and judges aren't going to cut these guys any slack if they are found guilty.
I share in the distress that some feel over the fact that these guys will have to put their educations and their careers on hold. I feel a little outrage over the fact that these guys are going to receive nothing but blame and harsh discipline from their school even if they are innocent.
My big concern is that these guys and their lawyers recognize the size of the stakes and protect themselves (again, if innocent) against wrongful conviction. In my judgement this is a 15-25 year sentence hanging over them.
I don't think the defense is going to hurry anything along, if that hurry might add any risk at all to the chances of conviction.
Here is the report from ABC11.