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Posted on 05/11/2006 9:17:59 PM PDT by TexKat
DURHAM, N.C. -- A Duke lacrosse player whose DNA may match tissue found under the fake fingernails of an exotic dancer who claims she was raped was identified in a photo lineup with 90 percent certainty, sources tell NBC-17.
The Durham Herald-Sun reported Thursday tissue found under the accuser's acrylic fingernail came from the same genetic pool and was "consistent" with the bodily makeup of one of 46 lacrosse players who gave DNA samples for testing.
The paper cites several sources and said scientists also ruled out a possible match with any of the other 45 students, according to the sources.
If accurate, the fingernail tissue match would offer the first DNA evidence potentially linking the dancer and an alleged attacker.
But because a complete DNA pattern was not obtained from the tissue, it was not possible to match it with the nearly 100 percent certainty that DNA results usually offer, the sources added.
90 Percent Certainty
Now, NBC-17 has learned that the player is not one of the two already accused in the case -- Reade Seligmann, of Essex Fells, N.J., and Collin Finnerty, of Garden City, N.Y. He is, however, a player that the alleged rape victim picked out in a police lineup with 90 percent certainty.
The 27-year-old North Carolina Central University student told police she was beaten and raped by three lacrosse players while she performed at a March 13 team party. She said she clawed at the players in an effort to fight them off.
Never Applied?
Defense attorneys claim, however, that nothing about the reported possible DNA match means anything to the case if you look at the type of fingernails, where they were found, and if you look at a picture of the accuser's hand shortly after she arrived at the party.
According to defense attorneys, police found four stick-on acrylic fingernails in a trashcan at 610 Buchanan Street, the house where the party took place. The tissue connected to the possible DNA match was found under one of those fingernails.
But defense attorneys said the third player accused lived at the house and it is no surprise that trace amounts of his DNA could be found inside his own trashcan. They also said they don't believe the type of fingernails that were found -- the kind that are applied with an adhesive strip -- actually ripped off during an attack. They don't believe the fingernails were ever applied and they say they have pictures to prove it.
NBC-17 has seen a picture of the dancer's hand at the house when she performed her dance routine. It appears that long, fake fingernails were on some of her fingers in that photo, but not all of them.
Other photos show what defense lawyers believe is red fingernail polish on the walls of the house and on the railing outside the house. They believe the accuser was painting and applying her nails while at the party.
Defense attorneys admit that none of them have seen the DNA report the Herald Sun article is based upon, but they said if District Attorney Mike Nifong has the DNA report, their clients are entitled to see it.
Accuser's Father Responds
The accuser's father called reports of a DNA break in the case long overdue.
"I wasn't surprised to hear that. I feel like we should have learned it before," he said.
Kim Roberts, another dancer who performed at the party where the alleged attack took place, paid an emotional visit to the accuser's parents on Thursday.
"It was real emotional -- she was crying, my wife was crying. She said that she was sorry she left (outside) the house before my daughter did," the accuser's father said.
Authorities said they would know what the DNA shows by early next week.
You are just having too much fun, aren't you?
How's the Merlot tonight?
It's said blood is thicker than water; but when one condones and covers up badness in a family member, just because they are "family" the damnation is lifelong.
I continue to see Crystal's mother's words blurring before my eyes. She was so damned convinced her little Crystal was telling the truth -- that she had been "raped" by Dukies. I see the pictures of Crystal's cousin speaking about her loving relative who just wouldn't make up a thing like this and how awful everyone is for not simply believing Crystal.
I'm suggesting, now's the high -- and because truth and vindication is so magnificent.
I'd love to be a fly on the wall.
And studying the newer spin on "unreported rapes".
I was just thinking that! What piece of garbage this man is. How DARE he use these people this way? The AV has mental problems..He didn't care...He just used her to get elected. Dirtbag!
My original theory, in the recent -distant- past was that she'd had consensual sex BEFORE the event. Then there was the conflicting timeline about Kroger's to Hospital. Boyfriend took her to hospital -- or-- Police took her to hospital.
"How's the Merlot tonight?"
For the life of me - next thing ya know it'll cost more per gallon than gasoline!
LOL. Now that's funny!
Bite me---you are beyond clueless...
Paging Barry Scheck..We have a clueless person who needs lessons in DNA.
Well, you could always save money by making it in your own lab. I hear Duke has an excellent chemistry program for that sort of thing.
It sounds like the DPD allowed the duke players to handle the evidence. Apparently a Duke player gave these fingernails to the DPD, rather than the DPD collecting them as evidence named in the search warrant. Shouldn't they have been collected properly as evidence of a crime?
That's either some really stupid police work, or an intentional attempt to make sure some LAX DNA was on the nails.
With all that has gone on, one easily gets suspicious of the authorities.
I am wondering if a search warrant was executed properly, or did the DPD just go to 610 and let the LAX player pick up everything and hand it to the police?
I'm guessing the DPD knew this woman was crazy. They sure didn't conduct a "traditional" investigation. Maybe the DPD hates Nifong and were trying to sabotage his case from the beginning.
I'll tell you over a beer in July?
Er - that's what meth was made for - dummy up.
Been smoking it for 10 years and I've yet to become preggers.
Super condoms my (numb) foot!
Saw a trailer for "The Lineup" with Catfish Guilfoyle for tomorrow night..that should be worth the price of admission. Wonder if she'll demand Nifong to "Stand up like a man and drop the charges?"
That certainly could be as well.
In my mind, if the LAX player took the nails out of the trash can and gave them to the police, that immediately rendered them useless in this investigation.
Might as well not collect them.
Even if he picked them up off the floor in the first place, the police shouldn't assume anything and should collect them properly.
I can just hear the court testimony...
"Sure my DNA is on them. Hell, I picked them up off the floor and put them in the trash, and later I took them out of the trash and gave them to the Durham Police Department."
It could be those fake nails. Latex.
As one of the attorneys said, news would be if there was NO DNA on the nail!
Off for sleep . Thanks for all the great reporting done tonight--You guys are geniuses!
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