Posted on 02/03/2007 4:16:51 AM PST by Locomotive Breath
Gov. Mike Easley said last month that picking Mike Nifong to be Durham's district attorney was the worst appointment of his career, and he said Nifong broke his promise not to run for the office. Easley told law students in New York that Nifong's decision to seek office in last fall's election almost prompted him to consider yanking Nifong from office.
"I almost un-appointed him when he decided to run," Easley said. "I rate that as probably the poorest appointment that I've," the governor trailed off before adding "I've made some good ones."
(Excerpt) Read more at newsobserver.com ...
CASH MICHAELS drops the sex and kidnapping charges against LAX players !!!!!!!
RAISES SPECTER OF ROBBERY --
[excerpt]
According to accounts from a variety of sources over the past five months, the following is alleged to have occurred between 12 midnight and 12:25 a.m. on March 14 at the lacrosse party:
At least three minutes into what was supposed to be a two-hour midnight exotic show for which the accuser and the second dancer, Kim Roberts Pittman, were paid $400.00 each in cash to perform, everything stopped. The drunken players, irritated that the accuser is under the influence, losing her balance and falling to the floor, have already begun to grumble. Crude remarks are made, and a player even brandishes a broomstick, suggesting that it be used as a sex object on the dancers.
Words were exchanged and the women, upset, leave the room, ultimately ending up in another room arguing with two of the co-captains who hired them.
The dancers were told by at least one of the team co-captains that if they can't deliver a show, they must give the $800.00 they were paid back. As they argued, both women had left their belongings and money in the bathroom, where they had made themselves up prior to performing.
Sources say while the dancers argued with the captains, at least one player had already gone into the bathroom and retrieved at least the accuser's share.
The upset dancers soon ended up back in the bathroom, shutting the door. The angry players want them out and gone, concerned that the girls may call for someone by cellphone to come to the house and cause trouble.
The players went so far as even pushing a $100.00 bill under the locked bathroom door. By this time, many of the players, who've gone outside, were very vocal about not getting the show they paid for.
The dancers finally left the bathroom after approximately 10 minutes, though the accuser leaves her make up bag, and is missing one of her white shoes.
By 12:50 a.m., an angry Kim Roberts, with the accuser virtually passed out in her passenger seat, drives off.
When the women left, it was apparent that many of the players were angry, feeling that they had been cheated.
Some of them were saying things like, "I want my money back", Jason Bissey, who lived next door to the party, told The News & Observer in its March 25 edition. Bissey, who is white, adds that he was outside on his porch as one of the players yell, "Hey bitch, thank your grandpa for my cotton shirt." -----
http://wilmingtonjournal.blackpressusa.com/news/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=75878&sID=4
http://z9.invisionfree.com/LieStoppers_Board/index.php?showtopic=1967&view=findpost&p=7791197
The First Blog Scandal Of Campaign 2008
We're only one month into 2007 and the first blog scandal of the 2008 campaign already has erupted.
The central character: Amanda Marcotte of Pandagon, who this week accepted a job as "blogmaster" to the presidential campaign of Democrat John Edwards. Part of her job is to write at the campaign blog.
The scandalous storyline: Like all bloggers, Marcotte is fast and loose with her opinions, and her opinion of the infamous rape allegations against lacrosse players at Duke University didn't sit well with some folks. When Marcotte started catching flak for that opinion, she apparently deleted it and started altering other comments at Pandagon.
-end excerpt-
It gets a whole lot worse. Edwards' head blogstrix is a foul-mouthed moonbat, who has arguably made libelous statements about the accused. Hit the link and scroll down on the comments. There's an all out blog swarm in progress!
Easley went to NCCU Law School? LOL!
Even if that was true (which it wasn't) he would be too stupid to be DA.
I wonder if Easley appointed Nifong because of a case that he was interested in that was coming up (during that time) and wanted it to go a certain way and just wanted him in for that specifically.
Slag always surfaces.
Gotta get those white boys for something...............
Amanda has a myspace page
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=32800835
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Read my real blog
I have a real blog called Pandagon. Visit it at www.pandagon.net.
That's Pandagon. Like panda bears. Only mean, snarly, viscious, and snarky panda bears.
Did Easley ever mention this before the election?
Voting for it before voting against it?
EXCERPTS
Durham DA gets 'judge-shopping' reputation
The News & Observer
May 19, 1999
Author: JOHN SULLIVAN; STAFF WRITER
DURHAM -- Five years after Durham District Attorney Jim Hardin and Chief Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson teamed up to reduce a huge backlog of cases, the district's other three Superior Court judges say the two are bypassing them and funneling the county's major criminal cases to Hudson.
Defense lawyers call it judge-shopping, and they say Hardin is doing it to punish judges who have ruled against the prosecution.
"I think there is forum-shopping being abused by the district attorney, and many experienced judges have heard few felony cases while many are placed on one judge's platter," said Durham Superior Court Judge David Q. LaBarre, a 20-year veteran of the bench.
Superior Court Judge Ronald Stephens says the one major case he has heard in the past several years came only after he complained to Hudson and the state Administrative Office of the Courts.
(snip)
"I believe Jim Hardin is punishing judges who rule against him," Durham Public Defender Bob Brown said. "The obvious consequence will be the judge who will want to rule fairly and in accordance with the law will not be given a chance to do so but will simply not be assigned any more cases."
(snip)
Hardin says at least one of his prosecutors, Mike Nifong, has tried murder cases before other judges, including a trial this year before visiting Judge Robert Hobgood. Defense attorneys say Nifong is the only assistant district attorney who will try a case in front of another judge, and he usually doesn't try high-profile cases.
(snip)
Hudson and Hardin's close working relationship began after a lawsuit alleged widespread abuses by district attorneys in how they scheduled cases, including sweating plea agreements from defendants by leaving them languishing in jail.
The case went to the state's highest court, and although the court ruled the power to control scheduling was constitutional, it noted that the power could be abused.
Hudson encouraged Hardin to settle the suit, Hardin said, and they instituted a case management system in 1995 that was one of only two in the state. Under the system, every case has three separate settings to make sure a defendant has an attorney, motions are heard and evidence is exchanged before the case is finally set for trial.
(snip)
//
Court changes may speed up felony trials
'Case-management' inefficiencies are target of revision
Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC)
January 23, 2007
Author: John Stevenson jstevenson@heraldsun.com; 419-6643
For only the second time since its launch 12 years ago, Durham's so-called "case-management system" is undergoing a major revision.
The change is aimed at allowing more time for trials for the hundreds of felony cases that clog local court dockets.
The revision, expected to be finalized soon, will reduce the number of administrative weeks in Durham County Criminal Superior Court from two to one a month. At the same time, the number of trial weeks will go from two to three.
Another change will allow defendants to skip court the first time their names appear on an administrative docket. They will be permitted to remain at work and let their lawyers do the talking.
District Attorney Mike Nifong said it is "unnecessarily burdensome" and a source of courtroom overcrowding to make defendants show up for preliminary administrative sessions, since they aren't needed anyway.
"That's an inefficiency. If you find inefficiencies, you try to eliminate them," said Nifong.
(snip)
Durham's senior judge, Orlando F. Hudson, shares the enthusiasm.
"This move can't help but benefit us and get more cases tried," he said Monday. "It's an efficient way of getting judges to do something we desperately need to do: try more cases.
"I personally haven't gotten any negative feedback about it," Hudson said of the proposed revision. "I'm ready to sign off on it."
(snip)
Not sure if and how this is related but it's interesting stuff ...
(no links)
EXCERPTS
Judge orders DA to look for more police subpoenas
The News & Observer
May 19, 1994
Author: JALEH HAGIGH; STAFF WRITER
Estimated printed pages: 2
DURHAM -- Eight months ago, Durham police admitted improperly using subpoenas to get the telephone records of private citizens who weren't under criminal investigation.
The admission came after three lawyers filed a lawsuit to gain access to the subpoenas, which they contend are public documents that the police department was concealing. Now those lawyers have turned their attention to District Attorney Jim Hardin Jr.
(snip)
In September, police officials conceded that officers had photocopied at least 20 times a blank subpoena that included the signature of a prosecutor.
Police used the documents to get phone records from GTE South in 1991 as part of an investigation into allegations that a prostitution ring was operating out of police headquarters under then-chief Trevor Hampton. The probe turned up no such evidence.
The records listed phone calls made by people and businesses that had not been charged with any crimes. Subpoenas are to be used only in pending civil or criminal cases -- or in rare cases -- for secret grand jury proceedings.
Police tried to keep the documents secret but then turned over 37 subpoenas.
The suit against the district attorney originally named Ron Stephens, who was Durham's top prosecutor at the time and is now a Superior Court judge. The suit now names Hardin as the main defendant.
//
Partial settlement reached in subpoena suit against Hardin
Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC)
September 16, 1995
Author: PAUL BONNER The Herald-Sun
Estimated printed pages: 2
One of several lawsuits claiming that Durham investigators and prosecutors have routinely violated federal wiretap laws and state rules of criminal procedure was partly settled Thursday when District Attorney James Hardin Jr. agreed to make sure subpoenas are issued legally.
A subpoena is an order to appear in court or deliver documents or other items needed in a court case.
The consent order in Durham County Superior Court in the lawsuit filed by Sadie H. Collins of Durham settled claims against Hardin. Hardin is represented by lawyers from the state Attorney General's office.
(snip)
//
Subpoenagate' finally resolved
Suit said phone records sought illegally
Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC)
September 27, 2005
Author: JOHN STEVENSON jstevenson@heraldsun.com; 419-6643
More than a decade after Durham police officers and the District Attorney's Office were sued for allegedly issuing improper subpoenas to obtain telephone records, the lengthy litigation finally ended with $1,250 settlements for several phone customers.
"This wraps everything up at long last," lawyer Alexander Charns said Monday.
Charns, who referred to the situation as "subpoenagate," said the last remaining cases could not be settled earlier "for complicated reasons.
"Everyone agreed this was a reasonable way to settle," he added. "It was all very amicable."
Still denying claims
The settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing by the defendants.
Judge Orlando F. Hudson noted in court documents that the defendants "have steadfastly denied that their alleged acts or omissions were wrongful or that they are liable ... for any reason."
Hudson declined to draw any conclusions about the legitimacy of the allegations.
(snip)
(no links)
EXCERPT
Another judge, former DA, criticizes Hardin's scheduling
Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC)
October 9, 1999
Author: JOHN STEVENSON The Herald-Sun
Estimated printed pages: 3
Opposition is mounting to District Attorney Jim Hardin Jr.'s practice of declaring some court cases "exceptional," thus removing them from normal scheduling patterns.
Superior Court Judge Ron Stephens, who preceded Hardin as district attorney here, is the latest official to say the practice should be eliminated or at least curtailed.
In a memorandum to Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Orlando F. Hudson, Stephens said no legal authority exists for Hardin to brand cases as exceptional.
Stephens joins a chorus of people who have objected to the exceptional category.
(snip)
//
Judge sworn in; DA takes over
Hardin dons robe as crowd cheers; Nifong moves up
Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC)
April 28, 2005
Author: ERIC OLSON eolson@heraldsun.com; 419-6647
Estimated printed pages: 2
About 120 people jammed a Durham County courtroom Wednesday to watch Jim Hardin Jr. take an oath to don the robes and leave behind his 11-year post as the Durham district attorney.
Humor played a major role in the ceremony, in which Hardin also handed over the reins of his former office to new District Attorney Mike Nifong.
Hardin handed down a pair of T-shirts given to him when he took the post, one emblazoned with "super solicitor" and a few sizes too small for either man, and even purchased one of his own for Nifong to continue the tradition.
//
Interim DA opts to run for full term
One's it for Nifong, 'never much of a politician'
Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC)
May 12, 2005
Author: JOHN STEVENSON jstevenson@heraldsun.com; 419-6643
Estimated printed pages: 3
Interim District Attorney Michael Nifong, admitting he had "never been much of a politician," ended three weeks of guesswork Wednesday by announcing he will run next year for a full term as Durham's chief prosecutor.
At the same time, he made it clear he intends to seek only one term.
"It is my firm belief that, within that four-year period, I will be able to fully accomplish what I am setting out to do," said Nifong, a Democrat.
An assistant prosecutor in Durham since 1979, Nifong received a gubernatorial appointment as interim district attorney on April 18 and was sworn in a week later. He replaced former District Attorney Jim Hardin Jr., who was appointed to a Superior Court judgeship.
Nifong's announcement Wednesday ended courthouse speculation about whether he would be a candidate next year.
Many lawyers, clerks and judges said they expected such an announcement and would have been shocked if Nifong did not seek election. Others had predicted that Nifong would not run for office, given his admitted and well-known aversion to politicking.
(snip)
Another potential candidate, according to court observers, is lawyer Pat Evans, who mounted a hard-nosed and colorful, but unsuccessful, campaign against Hardin in 1994.
"I am praying about it," Evans said two weeks ago, referring to a possible 2006 election bid.
(snip)
(no links)
EXCERPTS
DA's office loses more staff
'Gun prosecutor' will be fifth attorney to leave since April
Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC)
June 29, 2005
Author: JOHN STEVENSON jstevenson@heraldsun.com; 419-6643
Even as court officials lobby for new prosecutor positions in Durham, the District Attorney's Office is having a hard time keeping its current staff on board.
Officials confirmed Tuesday that Jason Scully-Clemmons, hired recently as Durham's first special "gun prosecutor" to help rid the city of firearms, tendered his resignation and will be gone after July 8. He reportedly will enter private practice.
While members of the legal community pleaded with county commissioners Monday night to fund more assistant district attorney positions and court clerks for Durham, Scully-Clemmons became the fifth lawyer to leave the District Attorney's Office since April.
The others were gang prosecutor John Phillips, who departed to care for an ailing mother; Christy Joyce, who took a new public job in Wake County; Erica Cofield, who joined the state Attorney General's Office; and Freda Black, who now works for a private law firm in Durham.
(snip)
//
Veteran prosecutor steps down DA's office welcomes 3 new faces
Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC)
October 1, 2005
Author: JOHN STEVENSON jstevenson@heraldsun.com; 419-6643
Estimated printed pages: 2
The Durham District Attorney's Office lost a veteran prosecutor on Friday but gained three new ones at the same time.
For 38-year-old Tab Hunter, it was the last day on the job after eight years as an assistant district attorney here. He is joining the legal staff of the N.C. Department of Commerce, where he will have a hand in overseeing rate increases for privately owned utilities.
(snip)
Durham's three new prosecutors, sworn in at midday Friday, are C. Destine Couch, Fungai Muzorewa-Bennett and Luke Bumm.
(snip)
//
http://durhamwonderland.blogspot.com/2006/11/latest-bombshell.html
Monday, November 06, 2006
The Latest Bombshell
I spoke last night with Ashley Cannon, a former assistant district attorney in Mike Nifong’s office.
She told me the following:
On Friday, her last day working for Nifong, Cannon spoke with the Administrative Office of the Courts, and filed an oral complaint alleging sexual harassment by Assistant District Attorney C. Destine Couch and a complaint against District Attorney Nifong for taking no action on the matter.
(snip)
Published: Mar 23, 2006 12:30 AM
Modified: Mar 23, 2006 02:51 AM
Durham DA says lawyer seeks deals
Foe's campaign says it's just gossip
http://www.newsobserver.com/630/story/421042.html
Durham's district attorney might face call-up
The News & Observer
January 24, 2003
Author: Demorris Lee; Staff Writer
The Durham District Attorney's Office has several veteran prosecutors. Mike Nifong has been there since 1979 and is the senior supervisor for Hardin. Prosecutors Freda Black and David Saacks are both team leaders to whom other lawyers report. Black has been with the state since 1989 and Saacks since 1994. Senior prosecutor Tracey Cline is also familiar with the office.
(snip)
Nifong make it into a federal appeal court dissenting opinion [see page 31]:
http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/05/05-10065-CR2.wpd.pdf
"This is a case of a prosecution run amok. Mike Nifong, another prosecutor familiar with the 'win at all costs' mantra, most surely would approve."
The reasoning behind appointing Nifong may have been to lessen Freda Black's electability.
bttt
My goodness, making into a dissenting opinion of the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit as the example of all that which is wrong with prosecutors! Nice legacy, Mike. :>)
'win at all costs'
Confusing ... Nifong's intended role in this group ...
""It is my firm belief that, within that four-year period, I will be able to fully accomplish what I am setting out to do," said Nifong, a Democrat. "
...yeah, secure his pension.....
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