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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.
Save me a seat, and I'll pick up the first round....;>)
It would be hilarious if one of the attorneys would announce that the accuser's DNA was not found on the nail.
By way of
Has it ever been stated/clarified that the AV's DNA was also taken so as to differentiate hers from anyone else's?
That is multitasking. Still not as good as raping and dialing. But it won't get me arrested.
Maybe Pimp Charming has the shoe and he is searching for AV to see if it fits. She can be Queen Ho.
I'd say "of course", but none of the Durham professionals so far have inspired confidence.
Well why don't we just all have a drink together?
Works for me.
You devil. You talked me into it. LOL
Someone ping when link is up--can't find it on the main page.
Results being provided to players' attorneys but not yet made public
Updated: 7:03 p.m. ET May 12, 2006 DURHAM, N.C. - A second round of DNA testing on members of Duke Universitys lacrosse team is complete, a defense attorney said Friday afternoon.
Lawyer Butch Williams was out of town and had yet to see the test results, but said the district attorneys office told him they were being provided to players attorneys.
Two members of the team have been charged with raping a stripper hired to perform at a March 13 team party. Williams represents another player, and defense attorneys representing the defendants did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
The dancer, a 27-year-old black student at nearby North Carolina Central University, told police she was raped and beaten for a half-hour by three white men at the party. A grand jury has charged sophomores Reade Seligmann, of Essex Fells, N.J., and Collin Finnerty, of Garden City, N.Y., with rape, kidnapping and sexual assault.
Defense attorneys have strongly proclaimed that all the players are innocent, consistently pointing to an initial round of DNA tests they said found no match between the 46 players tested and the accuser.
The results of those initial DNA tests were returned by the state crime lab to District Attorney Mike Nifongs office on April 10. He forwarded the results to defense attorneys, who that evening appeared on the courthouse steps in Durham to announce the tests hadnt found a match.
Nifong ordered an additional round of DNA tests at a private lab, but had said he expected the results back on Monday.
FREE VIDEO MSNBC - Another Duke indictment?
May 12: Another indictment could come as early as Monday in the Duke rape investigation. MSNBC-TV's Susan Filan talks with criminal defense attorney Yale Galanter and former N.Y. Supreme Court Justice Leslie Crocker Snyder. Abrams_Report
Fox News is suppose to be covering this.
I think FNC just said they will carry the news conference LIVE.
link up!
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