"I do have a question about non-indicted players suing for damages, however. I would think that the only ones who would possibly have a provable case are those whose job offers were rescinded due to this mess."
Didn't the alleged Atlanta Olympics bomber have a case because his name was bandied about in the newspapers? (And he won, or the newspaper settled for a large sum.)
I think if the players had their names and photos on a Crimestoppers poster, and that Nifong called them all hooligans, might be enough right there for starters.
Not to mention they had their season cancelled, possibly missed finals (lost a semester's work/cost?), have trouble continuing with their education elsewhere (can't transfer),
had "pain and suffering" (ridiculed in class, in campus demonstrations), were lumped together by Duke as irresponsible and portrayed as reckless jocks (impact on their future yet to be determined), and so on.
I think any tort lawyer would salivate at this.
They were ALL treated like they were guilty or covering up for a vicous, heinous crime.
Kimberly Gilfoyle, a couple weeks into the story called them rapists and said that they KNOW what happened in there and, if they were her sons they wouldn't be allowed back into her house until they went down to the DA and told all.
Nancy Grace. Where to start? She laughed and rolled her eyes night after night - and said, yeah, yeah, I can't wait for the DNA to come in, what is there story going to be then.
Wendy Murphy called them rapists.
Susan Filan, Jim Hammer, Alan Colmes, Lis Wiehl, Geraldo, O'Reilly, Ted Williams - all spoke assumed a crime had taken place and a coverup.
If you remember back, there was a time when many in the media where in favor of forcing the lacrosse players to speak or not to be allowed back into the University. This not only assumes that a crime took place, but the Right to remain silent is fundamental and cannot be waived in politically correct prosecutions.
This is from a piece in the Charlotte Observer (03/29):
"The university should make it plain to team members who were at the party that they MUST come forward with what they know -- or face serious consequences for their REPREHENSIBLE
silence."
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/opinion/14210311.htm