Posted on 03/31/2006 8:03:52 PM PST by Howlin
DURHAM, N.C. - The father of the woman who has accused members of the Duke lacrosse team of sexually assaulting her said he didn't find out that his daughter was the reported victim - and that she is an exotic dancer - until a reporter visited his house.
The retired trucker who lives in Durham said he saw his daughter the day after the reported attack, but she didn't say anything was wrong. She even left her car at the house for several days because he said she didn't want to drive it.
Her father, a quiet man who tinkers on cars as a hobby, said he saw news reports about the attack.
"I didn't know it was my daughter," he said. The Charlotte Observer generally does not name victims of sexual assault, so his name is being withheld to protect the identity of his daughter.
The case has ignited campus protests and stirred racial tension in Durham. The woman at the center of the case is black, and the men she accuses are white. She also is a student at N.C. Central University, a historically black college near Durham's inner-city, compared with the more expensive Duke campus.
DNA tests have been conducted on 46 of the lacrosse players, who deny the allegations. A 47th member, who is black, was not tested because the woman said her attackers were white.
Last week, a reporter stopped by the reported victim's house looking for her, the woman's father said, but he said he didn't know what was going on. He called his daughter and she said the district attorney told her not talk to anyone.
"(She) didn't tell us anything about it," he said.
He said he also found out through the media that his daughter, who is the youngest of three, was an exotic dancer.
"She always told me she was going to work," he said.
On Friday, he installed a timing belt in a car and watched his daughter's two children play outside the house. He said working on cars and playing with the grandchildren helps take his mind off what's happening with his daughter.
He said she seems to be doing "pretty good," and so is the rest of the family. He said they haven't talked much about the reported incident, but it weighs heavily on his mind. He said he's grateful that N.C. Central has been so supportive, but he doesn't like how his daughter has been portrayed in the media. And he's especially frustrated that no one has been charged in the connection with the allegations.
"If it had been anybody but them, they would have been locked up, but yet they didn't because it's Duke," he said. "I hope them boys - if they did it - I hope they get what they deserve. I hope they don't go lenient on them."
District Attorney Michael Nifong said he's waiting for results of the DNA test and that he does not expect to file charges in the case any earlier than next week.
Ping.
So did I.
People down here are beginning to get real aggitated with the DA.
I'm predicting the DA just lost his election
Just heard Tony and the reporter, who said by Monday there'd probably be 60% thinking the woman is not to be believed. (Population of Durham: 45% white; 44% black)
I wonder what that's about?
When is the first time you heard about this case? Was it last week?
How long did this man go without knowing this, two weeks?
"the DA just lost his election"
he needs to punt his mess to a grand jury, IMO
Rome has a couple of valid points. I certainly don't want this to be true and will await additional information but I agree with Rome it doesn't look good the way the players are handling this. The best scenario I can come up with for the players is that whatever happened is now being blown out of proportion due to anger. In that scenario the players sure are handling it badly. You don't run and hide if you're innocent. You might want to but you sure as hell shouldn't.
Could the car be the one driven by one of the callers...or the 2nd girl, and she didn't want it identified?
Maybe it was because the DA was all over TV talking about the 46 players on the lacrosse team possibly being guilty of rape and attack?
It stinks to high heaven and has right from the beginning,especially with that other 911 call coming in.
The next door neighbor said that they both got in the same car and sped off together.
Fishy.
Did you hear that call in its entirety?
And if "them" boys didn't do it Daddio? What then?
Are you hoping that your daughter gets what she deserves?
The parents of those innocent players would certainly want their children to have legal representation in such a volatile situation. I would, wouldn't you?
Duke will probably wind up being sued by everybody. Ain't higher education wunnerful.
I just think Feinstien was over the top. Just because they're scholarship atheletes doesn't mean they give up their due process rights, especially given how agressively the DA seems to be persuing this.
To tell you the truth, about half of what is in the local paper is wrong, and the rest isn't factually correct.
God knows what happened there. It may never get sorted out.
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