I take from this that Nifong thinks Cheek is going to run (or he fears it), this is in direct response to public criticism, IMO.
Remember, the DUKE evidence was moved to TOP PRIORITY in the state at Nifong's request:
http://www.wral.com/news/9545888/detail.html
More preemptive action in Durham.
Think the Durham Machine met and figured if anyone looked close, it wasn't going to be pretty?
http://www.wral.com/news/9550917/detail.html
Is this the case that is still waiting on DNA testing eight months after the fact? I remember there was a case where the victims relatives were very upset that they still had no DNA results after such a long time when the lacrosse case got results in a few weeeks.