Just a rotten case: As the prosecution of Duke's lacrosse players unravels,

The Plain Dealer ^ | 1/7/07

[Winged Hussar]

Then, just last month, the director of a DNA laboratory that tested samples taken from the woman testified that he and the prosecutor had agreed in May to withhold some of the findings. The exculpatory nature of the results - specifically, that the swabs included traces of semen from several men, none of them the Duke defendants - offer the strongest evidence yet that the prosecutor himself should be the subject of an investigation, and that he should have no further connection with this case.

[Alia]

True.

[Alia]

Yes, curious me spent an hour digging around for maps of the Campus Crossings and NCCU buildings. Didn't find anything worth a you know what.

So, in lieu of those maps, I posit this (totally hypothetical since I have no data about blood stains, etc.): She was murdered elsewhere. Someone fired the shots at Campus Crossings to make it look like a shooting was done there. Could Denita have been murdered, actually, in Greensboro; somewhere else?

I had been wanting to dig up Campus Crossing maps to get an idea of the shots fired previously (another building) to where her body was found.

[Alia]

I was an early subscriber to Heterodoxy (David Horowitz). I'm in their archives file... and what do I find (From issue Dated September 1992) about Houston Baker.

***

A FEW YEARS AGO HOUSTON Baker, current president of the Modern Language Association, was negotiating with administrators at the University of Pennsylvania over the conditions under which he would remain at Penn. Regarded as one of the eminences of Afro American literature, Baker had staked out his political pretensions in a speech to a rally of the left at the University of Michigan: "My generation of black students never considered ourselves political in any quotidian image of that word... When we were moved to social action, we knew by every look, word and gesture of the dominant culture that we would never enter the American political' process...Man, like, we couldn't even vote! Hence we decided to skip politics all together and move directly to revolution."

In fact, middle-class blacks, like Houston Baker, who lived in cities outside the segregated South, could of course vote — though the 20 year olds at the Michigan gathering were perhaps too young and uninformed to be aware of this. Moreover, while the Sixties revolution was erupting in the U.S., Houston Baker was living in fair comfort in the British Isles, where he was writing his doctoral thesis. In retrospect he might have come to believe that he was a victim of American oppression or even an invisible man, but in 1969, when the revolution back home was reaching its crescendo, Baker was actually being assiduously wooed by Maynard Mack, the celebrated expositor of Swift and Pope and one of the most prestigious names in the academic firmament, who had come to England to secure the young black scholar for the English department at Yale.

Merely being in New Haven at the same time that the Black Panther Party was an "on-campus reality" (as Baker himself put it), torturing and then murdering comrade Alex Rackley, does not qualify someone as a revolutionary, of course. But even if Baker missed the action in the 60s he made up for it in the 80s, "moving directly to the Icthyus Bloviatus Stanleyis American blowfish. When observed, swells to twice its size. Omnivorous appetite. Attracted by artificial lures. Chosen habitat: murky waters.

...revolution" of political correctness. He is the author of a few scholarly works, but more importantly of the casual provocations which, somewhere along the line, have become as important as literary output in awarding status in today's academy.

The difference between Shakespeare and Virginia Woolf, according to a famous Bakerism, is the difference between a Hoagie and a pizza; rap music, he avows in another bon mot, is the great art form of the 20th century. Such statements, showing a fashionable contempt for the canon and for the claims of high culture, have gilded Baker's resume and made him into the academic equivalent of those prized free agents who have altered both the economics and the morality of professional sports.

Sought by Stanford and other schools while teaching at Penn, adeptly playing the new suitors off against his current employer, Baker was able to punch his own ticket. His wish list did not include demands for the admission of more black students or the hiring of more black professors, or for another load of diversity. He was interested in something else altogether — a piece of turf, a building, and an edifice that would symbolize his growing power in the academic world.

The new institution was to be known as the Center for the Study of Black Literature and Culture. The bargain was sealed when the Penn Administration agreed to eject the adult education program from one half of the building it shared with Psychology and give Baker the space. Shortly after the Center moved in, the staff of the Psychology Department received a memo from their chairman asking if they minded giving up use of the bathroom on the first floor, which was situated on the Baker side of the building. The psychologists were an amenable group and eager to be seen as good neighbors. But since there was no other first floor toilet, they invoked their bowels and bladders as arguments for the status quo.

The bathroom, in fact, had always been shared and in asking that it continue to be so they were not disturbing the natural order of things. After some parleying, and appeals to the Administration, the parties arrived at a solemn compact which recognized the right of Psychology to use the bathroom facilities on the first floor.

Wishing to encourage the amicable settlement, the Administration had the bathroom remodeled, which the people in Psychology regarded as an impressive testament to Houston Baker's new cachet, especially when one of the new appoint- Turn to page 10

-end snip

So, now he's at Vanderbilt U. Maybe he'll get his own bathroom.

October24, 2002: Greens Rally Behind Vanderbilt University's Plan to Rename 'Confederate' Dorm

snips:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Greens at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee were joined by Green candidates across the U.S. in support of Vanderbilt's proposal to change the name of Confederate Memorial Hall to Memorial Hall.

"We wouldn't tolerate a 'Nazi Memorial Hall,' and we shouldn't tolerate this," said Dr. Jonathan Farley, Tennessee Green Party candidate for U.S. Congress and Professor of Mathematics at Vanderbilt. "It's one thing to study history and preserve historical sites and artifacts. It's another thing entirely to celebrate what was, for many Americans, a legacy of enslavement and holocaust."

The United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC), who originally gave $50,000 for the construction of the dormitory, have plans to sue Vanderbilt if it goes ahead with the change.

Paul Stempel, president of the Vanderbilt University Campus Greens, is leading the countercharge. "The Green Party is opposed to the Confederate Battle Flag flying from public buildings," Stempel explained. "Even though Vanderbilt is private, the principle remains the same."

"What's at stake here is how we appreciate America's complex history," said David Cobb, Green candidate for Attorney General of Texas. "Memorializing the Confederacy in this way strips away what the Civil War was fought over, the decades of Jim Crow laws and lynchings, and the economic hardship and inequality many African-Americans still endure. It turns history into whitewashed sentimentality."

"Whether or not the United Daughters of the Confederacy mean to offend anyone, the name 'Confederate Memorial Hall' is offensive," added George Martin, Convener of the party's national Black Caucus and co-spokesperson of Wisconsin Green Party. "It's offensive to black people, and it's offensive to all Americans with any sense of sensitivity and racial harmony."

Stempel, who is white and grew up in Lakewood, Colorado, intends to work with the Vanderbilt Black Student Alliance to show the administration their support for the decision. Plans include a letter-writing campaign to local newspapers as well as investigating where the UDC got its money from.

"If the United Daughters of the Confederacy got their money from slavery, then they have no right to spend it as they wish," says the junior, who is majoring in math and political science.

Facing the UDC's thousands of dollars for lawyers, Stempel says, "We've got something better -- the knowledge that we're right. We prevailed against the Confederacy once; we can do it again."

--end snips

[TommyDale]

The only definite connection to the Duke case is the corrupt system in North Carolina that protects some and railroads others.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

http://www.newsobserver.com/100/story/530546.html

DURHAM - Police have charged a 27-year-old woman with killing a popular N.C. Central University student last week, saying the shooting was not “a random act of violence.”
Shannon Elizabeth Crawley, of 4203 Elderbush Circle, was arrested in Greensboro tonight and charged with fatally shooting Denita Monique Smith, 25.
In a statement, Durham police spokesman David Addison said investigators “will not discuss suspected motives at this time.”

Smith’s body was found last Thursday at the bottom of a stairway outside her apartment. An autopsy showed she had been shot to death, but police still have not said where she was shot.

“We often do, but we’re not doing it in this case,” Addison said in an interview tonight.

He said disclosing the information might upset Smith’s family or the community.....

(snip)

[azhenfud]

I think Nifong IS the star slut of this story..

[TommyDale]

A Greensboro 911 dispatcher charged in the murder of the fiancee of a Greensboro cop? Now there's a real mystery! /sarc

[xoxoxox]

BREAKING NEWS: Suspect Arrested in Denita Smith Slaying
WTVD Statement Provided by Durham Police Department

(01/09/07 -- DURHAM) - Durham Police Arrest Suspect in the Death of NCCU Graduate Student, Ms. Denita Smith

Today members of the Durham Police Department's Homicide Unit obtained a warrant charging Shannon Elizabeth Crawley with the murder of NCCU graduate student Denita M. Smith. Ms. Crawley was taken into custody in Greensboro, NC without incident. Ms. Crawley is being transported from Greensboro to Durham at this time. Combined efforts of the U.S. Marshalls, Greensboro Police Department and Durham Police Department's Homicide Unit located Ms. Crawley.

While we will not discuss any suspected motives at this time, it does not appear that this was a random act of violence. Because of the nature of this investigation, some of the information requested by the media was declined. The Durham Police Department cannot risk compromising an investigation by releasing potentially sensitive information prematurely. We sincerely appreciate the many calls and responses from the community that assisted us in this matter.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=4921138

[xoxoxox]

Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Guilford 911 employee charged in murder case

From Staff Reports

GREENSBORO -- An employee with Guilford Metro 9-1-1 was arrested Tuesday by Greensboro police in connection with a murder earlier this month in Durham, the city said in a news release.

Shannon E. Crawley, 27, was suspended Jan. 6 from her position with Guilford Metro 9-1-1 after being named a "person of interest" in the case.

Guilford Metro 9-1-1 declined to provide additional information and referred all inquiries to Durham police, according to the news release issued late Tuesday night.

http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070109/NEWSREC0101/70109034

Crawley does not appear to have an extensive N.C. criminal record, according to court records. She was charged with misdemeanor larceny in 1997, but the charge was dismissed.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/16422178.htm

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Her family has lived in
Claremont, CA
Tappan, NY
Mount Vernon NY
Ontario.

[MaxMax]

a new verb, "to Nifong someone,"

I prefer to be Lewinskied.

[xoxoxox]

PTBR-

Wonder what is so sensitive
in their investigation--

Channel 11 showed Crawley being
brought in moments ago-

disheveled- says she was the
person of interest interviewed
earlier this week.

[xoxoxox]

911 Employee Arrested On Murder Charges

UPDATED: 10:54 pm EST January 9, 2007

GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. -- A 911 operator for Guilford Metro was arrested on murder charges Tuesday.

Shannon E. Crawley, an emergency communications specialist with Guilford Metro 911, was arrested by the Greensboro Police Department in the Jan. 5 slaying of Denita Smith in Durham.

Crawley, 27, was suspended from her position Jan. 6, after being named a "person of interest" in the case.

She was originally hired by the department on July 16, 2000.

Police said Guilford Metro 911 has been cooperating with the investigators, but neither could provide any additional information.

Smith was engaged to Greensboro Police Officer, Jermeir Stroud, a 4 year veteran of the department.

She was a student at NC Central University in Durham.

http://www.wxii12.com/news/10708848/detail.html

[Jezebelle]

I said several days ago that it didn't look random to me, it wasn't a professional hit, it wasn't related to Duke, and the body may have been moved.

I rest my case. ;>

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Did they say if security has been lifted at the apts yet?
(last I heard it might be Friday)
So she didn't have that perky smile as seen earlier?

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Shannon E. Crawley, 27, was suspended Jan. 6 from her position with Guilford Metro 9-1-1 after being named a "person of interest" in the case.

---

But still all of the heightened security at Campus Crossing

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

http://greensboro.rhinotimes.com/1editorialbody.lasso?-token.folder=2006-09-28&-token.story=150502.112113&-nothing

2006-09-28 Articles
Police and Prostitutes - Part 8
Cops in Black & White, Part 8


by Jerry Bledsoe
Special to The Rhino Times

September 28, 2006
This is the eighth installment in an ongoing series of previously unpublished work by best-selling author Jerry Bledsoe documenting the controversy that rocked the Greensboro Police Department earlier this year. This installment contains some adult content that we do not consider appropriate for children. If this installment was made into a movie, we think it would be rated NC-17 or R. We have included the offensive language and descriptions because we believe they are integral to the telling of this important story. We apologize to those of you who are offended and ask you to consider that this story is about Greensboro police officers, men and women who are charged with the important duty of protecting us and who take an oath that they will "be alert and vigilant to enforce the criminal laws of this state."

(snip)

---

repost:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1618930/posts?page=117#117


Posted by xoxoxox to snarkytart
On General/Chat 04/22/2006 3:28:28 AM EDT · 117 of 170



The News & Observer *

February 1, 1992

**Police* probe a relief to city SBI will study call girl charge*

Author: JANE STANCILL; Staff writer

Edition: *DURHAM*
Section: NEWS
Page: B1

/Index Terms:/
*Durham*
*police*
SBI
DCC
*prostitution*
LEAD

Estimated printed pages: 2

Article Text:

*DURHAM* -- Now that state and federal agents are looking into
allegations of wrongdoing surrounding the *Durham* *Police* Department,
everyone from City Hall to Main Street is breathing a sigh of relief
that outside agencies are finally entering the case.

District Attorney Ronald L. Stephens has called the SBI into the
investigation involving allegations that a *prostitution* ring operated
out of the *police* department and the handling of an in-house probe of
the charges. He's asked agents to look at possible obstruction of
justice, intimidation of witnesses and even perjury involving the
complex case.

"There needed to be someone totally independent to come in and in a
professional manner review all of this and make some determination on
substantiated facts as to whether things were done appropriately and
legally," Stephens said.

*Police* Chief Trevor A. Hampton says he also has asked the SBI -- as
well as the FBI -- to enter the case.

On Friday, City Council members said it was time outside investigators
came onto the scene. "I think it will raise the comfort level of
everyone involved," said member Sylvia S. Kerckhoff.

Others said the *police* department should never have been investigating
itself in the first place.

"Hindsight is 20-20," said Mayor Harry E. Rodenhizer Jr. "We were not
aware of the first two investigations. But I would have been in favor of
an outside investigation from the start."

An internal investigation was conducted over five weeks late last year
by officers from the force's own organized crime division. That's when
allegations of the call-girl operation and other sexual misconduct
surfaced, but no criminal wrongdoing was uncovered.

The department's investigation focused on five employees, including
Wiley Davis Jr., former career development manager, who resigned earlier
this week amid allegations that he falsified his academic credentials to
attain his city position.

But some have speculated the investigation may have been compromised
from the very beginning. It started out in the department's own
professional standards division and then was handed over to the vice
officers.

Hampton has said the vice officers may have violated federal laws by
making some procedural errors during the probe. But Capt. George B.
Hare, who leads the vice unit, has staunchly defended his investigators.

And on Friday, he welcomed the outside agencies into the case.

"It will get a fair review," he said. "I have a lot of confidence in SBI
and any federal investigations. So far, the chief has been in full
control of information presented to the City Council and the public.
There are more details."

Meanwhile, officers on the street said morale has already started to
rise with news of the pending investigations. During the past three
weeks, some officers have said it was hard to

concentrate on doing their jobs.

"This has been an explosive issue to everyone," Hare said. "Maybe with
the SBI, we can get things back in perspective and get back to what
we're supposed to do."

Beginning early next week, several agents will start reviewing documents
and conducting interviews at the department.

"I hope it won't take long," said SBI director Charles J. Dunn Jr. "But
you never know until you get into it."

###(Shorter version of this story appears in final edition, page 3B)

Copyright 1992 by The News & Observer Pub. Co.
Record Number: RNOB70363

---

The RHINO articles make for interesting reading. One of the later articles mention how the unlicensed firm 2Tyght Security expanded in to Raleigh/Durham

[TommyDale]

"The Durham Police Department cannot risk compromising an investigation by releasing potentially sensitive information prematurely."

You mean like the Duke lacrosse players' case? LOL!

[TommyDale]

I hope they have the right person, and if so, I hope she is convicted. I just wish the law enforcement here were held to equal standards. This recent murder case was handled in a very strange way, shutting down an entire neighborhood and hiding the ID of the fiance, the Greensboro cop. Of course, in Durham, they will protect the rights of this defendant, because she is black.

[gopheraj]

mark