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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.
Did anyone feel that the previous defense DNA news conference could have been handled better? It seemed rushed to me, and I think one attorney misspoke when he said the results showed the accuser hadn't had sex with anyone. I think clarity is imperative this time.
Geez...I fly to Texas and when I get back, I missed some stuff. What's the press conference about?
DNA results were given to the Defense this afternoon.
Knowing this District Attorney's methods, the samples were probably faxed.
Nifong gave teh defense the DNA at 5 p.m. this afternoon!
Well thank you maggief, you made enough for everyone.
I could use a drink about now.
Have the laptop
Have my drink -but can't drink til I pick up pizza-
wait! delivery, that's what I will do!
Have the remote and a new page open to WRAL
Husband & son at ballgame that starts at 8
I could not have planned a better Friday night.
Oh God, how boring is my life?
Thanks for the quick update. I will turn on WRAL. It's a bad night for TV otherwise...
It was rushed.
And I am still thinking that "this" material is the same "material" they talked about at that press conference as being "inconclusive."
ROTFL!!!
Thanks. So has there been any preliminary indications from the defense team? My guess is that the fingernail was one that was broken off when the accuser slapped one of the party attendees. It was tossed into the garbage can, and that could explain why a 100% match isn't there. I can't see how it proves anything.
I could have used that in Austin!
House vodka is good enough for me, after that first one, who can tell?
I'll just reach right over the bar and grab the bottle if you will be so kind to let me reach past you.
One more thing,I need a Diet Coke with my drink--I like to keep both glasses full.
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