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Rape Accuser Had Photo ID'd Possible DNA Match
NBC CHANNEL 17 ^ | 5/11/06

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.


TOPICS: Local News; Society; Sports
KEYWORDS: daysofourlives; duke; dukelax; durham; thedukesaga
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To: toldyou
I think this case is over, and I'm gonna miss everyone! :)

Have no fear...the new standard in the legal system is to try these cases in the press...some other DA, who is trying to get reelected or score political points to further his career or taint the jury pool will ensure that we all meet again, soon....and should that not happen....some defense attorney will try to defend some creep thru the press.

All in all...the press will be there.....and so will we.

961 posted on 05/12/2006 7:13:18 PM PDT by Rheo
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To: Howlin; All

Howlin and everyone: Do you know the answer to #959?


962 posted on 05/12/2006 7:14:22 PM PDT by Peach
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To: Jrabbit
I heard the reporter, and the name sounded like "Landon"



BUMP!
963 posted on 05/12/2006 7:15:16 PM PDT by maggief (and the dessert cart rolls on ...)
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To: Peach

Now we know for sure why the FALSE ACCUSSER was 30 minutes late getting to the house.


964 posted on 05/12/2006 7:16:14 PM PDT by Carolinamom
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To: Peach

They have given every indication that they know where she was.

I'm sure they have investigators out.

Greta off the story..........rerun on Nancy shortly.


965 posted on 05/12/2006 7:16:34 PM PDT by Howlin
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To: Peach
Prior sexual history of the victim would not be allowable in California courts.
However, if in her statements to the police, she said she did not have consensual sex, the court might allow it to impeach her testimony.
966 posted on 05/12/2006 7:17:05 PM PDT by investigateworld (Abortion stops a beating heart)
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To: Peach

I'm sure Nifong had the semen donor arrested recently.


967 posted on 05/12/2006 7:17:40 PM PDT by Publius22
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To: Carolinamom

Definitely. She had another date.


968 posted on 05/12/2006 7:19:31 PM PDT by Peach
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To: Howlin

What channel is Nancy on?


969 posted on 05/12/2006 7:19:54 PM PDT by Peach
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To: investigateworld

I wonder if it can be shown how "old" the semen found in her was?


970 posted on 05/12/2006 7:20:46 PM PDT by GAgal
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To: investigateworld

Without having gone back to check the wording of the NC rape shield statute, I believe it would be allowable into evidence here if the defense attorneys can convince the trial judge that the prior sexual activity is probative of the issue as to how the injuries to her genital area were sustained, and the probative value in this case whould outweigh any prejudicial effect, and I would expect a judge to so rule.


971 posted on 05/12/2006 7:20:55 PM PDT by SirJohnBarleycorn
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To: Peach

CNN Headline News. It's getting ready to start.


972 posted on 05/12/2006 7:21:16 PM PDT by Howlin
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To: Howlin

Watching now;;; found it.


973 posted on 05/12/2006 7:21:55 PM PDT by Peach
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To: Publius22
I'm sure Nifong had the semen donor arrested recently.

LOL!

974 posted on 05/12/2006 7:21:57 PM PDT by Howlin
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To: Peach

You can transcribe to see if I was accurate!


975 posted on 05/12/2006 7:22:24 PM PDT by Howlin
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To: investigateworld
"Prior sexual history of the victim would not be allowable in California courts."

Even if the evidence might refute the rape kit analysis? I have to doubt that. If she had rough sex immediately prior to the party that would have to be admissible (not to prove she's a slut that's a given) but to prove someone else could have caused the "trauma consistent with rape".
976 posted on 05/12/2006 7:22:36 PM PDT by don'tbedenied ( D)
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To: Perdogg
Even Kimberly Guilfoyle seemed this afternoon to be ready to throw in the towel one this one.

On Gibson today she played an expert on cults, and how to negotiate with this morman bigamist holed up somewhere in TX. (She could have handled Waco better, but she was 10 years old at this time).

Tonight she will go back to playing feminist, strong, articulate lawyer for an hour.

977 posted on 05/12/2006 7:23:09 PM PDT by Swanks
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To: Rheo

The press told Cheshire that the DA's office gave it to them.


978 posted on 05/12/2006 7:23:12 PM PDT by Howlin
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To: don'tbedenied
"Prior sexual history of the victim would not be allowable in California courts."

I think "Prior sexual history" refers to years gone by. Not ten minutes ago.

979 posted on 05/12/2006 7:25:09 PM PDT by Swanks
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To: Howlin
The press told Cheshire that the DA's office gave it to them.

Yep...two or three days before the defense got it....gee...I am so surprised that the info didn't get reported before the press conference.

980 posted on 05/12/2006 7:27:22 PM PDT by Rheo
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