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WRAL.com - News - Lacrosse Defense Attorney Concerned Over City Manager's Actions

 

Lacrosse Defense Attorney Concerned Over City Manager's Actions

POSTED: 11:00 pm EDT May 15, 2006

UPDATED: 12:07 am EDT May 16, 2006

 

DURHAM, N.C. -- A defense attorney for one of three suspects charged in the Duke lacrosse rape investigation filed a hearing notice on Monday asking for the court to hear several motions when his client appears in court on Thursday.

In one motion, defense attorney Kirk Osborn, who represents lacrosse player Reade Seligamann, asks that the Durham Police Department turn over all notes, tapes and information relating to the case to the Durham County District Attorney's office.

The court document says attorneys are concerned because Durham City Manager Patrick Baker has been interviewing police officers and may have pressured them to "get their stories straight."

Osborn, told WRAL on Monday that he was very concerned by Baker's actions, that they were unusual, and that he wanted to make sure the evidence is preserved.

Baker, during Durham's City Council meeting on Monday night, denied the assertion.

"I'm not asking them to get their stories straight at all," Baker said. "Certainly, as the chief executive officer of this organization, I feel like it's my duty to this Council and this community to make sure I'm in touch with what's going on........" (excerpted)

Reporter: Amanda Lamb
Web Editor: Kelly Gardner

[Peach]

I've read on this thread that the DNA on the stripper's fake nail was found on TOP of the plastic nail. Who reported that?

[maggief]

Since when does a city manager become this involved in a criminal case ... and where is Police Chief Chalmers?

http://www.newsobserver.com/122/story/439990.html


On Monday, Baker said he may be keeping close tabs on the lacrosse investigation, but he is qualified to do so based on his background as the assistant city attorney responsible for providing legal advice to the Police Department. Baker denied he was forced into day-to-day oversight of the investigation by the absence of Police Chief Steve Chalmers, who has been on leave attending to his gravely ill mother.

"My responsibilities as city manager include the Police Department," Baker said. "The reality is that if those men or women do something improper, then I will be the one held accountable for it. I don't want to be blindsided."

[bjc]

This case is getting stranger and stranger. It reminds me of the Fells Acre/Amirault case in Massachusetts. All the powers rallied around to make sure that the incompetence of the original action and the crass political motives (the DA, Harshbarger, was running for Governor) were hidden from the public. It was akin to the Salem witch trials. Does anyone know whether Dorothy Rabinowitz from the WSJ has commented on this case? She did a great job exposing the incompetence of the Amirault case. Unfortunately it was too late for many of the apparently falsely accused.

[Alia]

Thank YOU for posting this! I found a note late last night that Patrick Baker was being looked into. Good. This needs to be done. Thank you for posting this news.

[Alia]

Ping to #1453: Patrick Baker, City Manager of Durham.