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.
Of course that's your right, however sometimes dealing with reality is more important than exerting rights. It's not giving in, it's proving you have nothing to do with a crime you're accused with and moving on.
Always glad to help with the dieting needs of freepers!!!
Very interesting interview.
I'm glad to see the other side is trying to get some facts out.
The problem is, those who've already found these guys guilty, who are making death threats, who are planning on rioting if they aren't given life sentences won't bother to listen to facts.
If one of those team members is harmed, the DA himself should be held accountable and charged with inciting violence.
This DA is an idiot. He is pandering to the black community using this "allegation" as fuel for his election fire. If harm comes to those boys before this is resolved, he should be held criminally responsible.
I want to see the look on this DA's face when the DNA results come back, and none ofit belongs to the lacrosses players.
On average, how many different DNA's does a prostitute carry in and on her body on a working night?
As for the 4 fake fingernails found on the bathroom floor of the lacrosse house, ...well, without being graphic, the working girl may have been asked to remove the fingernails before performing certain paid-for acts.
They either have the wrong father of some things don't match up.
1) He didn't know what she did for a living but he cares for her kids. So if one of the kids has an emergency, he wouldn't know where to call?
2) He says she seemed fine the next day. "Insensitive" father or stripper girl wasn't all that upset? Could be either way.
3) "I hope them boys - if they did it - I hope they get what they deserve." If they did it??? You don't believe your own daughter, dad? Of course, she obviously has been keeping some secrets from him so maybe he has a right not to.
I sure hope it's a small non-crime blown out of all proportion and, if it did truly happen, I'd want the purps punished but, let's construct an alternate scenario for a moment:
Inner-city girl with two kids, strips for a living while trying to work her way through college. Why? Money.
Somehow she winds up working a party with these college boys who, if they don't have money, surely have access to money. They're DOOKIES, after all. Maybe she has a little too much to drink. Maybe some guys convince her to lie down on the bed and the guys decide to get a little "friendlier" with her. Maybe it goes too far.
She realizes what has happened and she is now 1) embarrassed and 2) seeking a way to avoid personal responsibility.
This is starting to sound like the Kobe Bryant case with the races reversed.
We all look alike...< /sarc>
You're joking right? These kids are involved in one of the most publicized rape cases in recent memory, with racial and significant political overtones and you suggest that they consider the cops and DA as their friends. The entire community is calling for their heads, even before the DNA results come back. The DA has already said he is going to prosecute no matter what the results of the DNA test might be....and you think the don't need lawyers. You probably really believe that only guilty folks are in jail. I think you would have a different take on the situation if it were one of your kids.
But the bathroom supposedly can fit four people. Hmmmm.
Yes, with 3 guys in the next room watching David Lettermen who never hear a thing. Go figure.
Here's my question about that: the police didn't search that house for 64 hours; if something DID happen, why didn't those boys get rid of those fingernails?
Exactly. This is looking more and more like "Tawana Brawley--Part Two."
I think this is something that is being omitted in a lot of the speculation around here. She says she was raped in the bathroom and other students who were at the party said that 3 guys did in fact follow her in to the bathroom, although they also said they didn't know what happened in there. So apparently she and 3 guys did fit into the bathroom.
Howlin,
I'm reading through the six-page search warrant:
http://www.wral.com/slideshow/news/8256201/detail.html
On the second page, it says
"The numbers 610 are black and are on the front door of the residence."
That should answer why the "victim" had the street address - it not only was there on the door but I imagine this was the address she was told to go to so she would have reason to remember it.
Just a piece of the puzzle, nothing conclusive mind you.
They're not on there now. Curious, huh?
But I think you're right; I think the escort service told her the address.
Page 4 describes what the victim claims happened.
Do you have a source for that?
To my knowledge, none of the students have made any statements at all.
I'm expecting Al any day now.
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