I didn't read that latest article!
That is good news! If the Defense Lawyers get to select that is better than having in done in Nifong's office - that's for sure.
I wonder if this stems from charges or actions that the Defense team was going to make in regard to Nifong purposefully delaying the date in a punitive way. Maybe the Def lawyers indicated they would make a Federal request on civil rights violations or the like and this was the compromise.
It seems to me, Nifong wouldn't give up a tool, for no reason. A tool he wields in every criminal case.
Someone doesn't relinquish their normal responsibility and duties without deriving some benefit from it.
Nifong did have a reason to agree to the exceptional case designation. And he did benefit from it. Cheek agreed not to run against him.
Do you reallly think that it's a coincidence that this was a sidebar story the day after Cheek announced that he wasn't interested in the DA's office? And a sidebar story the day of Nifong's news conference?
And yes, I noticed that that sidebar story didn't say who instigated this exceptional case designation. All it said was the parties agreed to it.
I can't find any limitation in the statute that the appointed single judge must come from Durham. I think they will find a judge as insulated from this mess as they can. Because that judge is going to dismiss the case. JMO
This is a backroom deal. And in my opinion, it's the first step to getting rid of this case with none of the political players getting hurt.