Posted on 12/24/2006 6:00:25 AM PST by Raebie
RAPE CASE Blacks aren't judging Nifong
Community leaders await next step after dropping of charges
FRANCO ORDOÑEZ fordonez@charlotteobserver.com
While scrutiny of the Durham district attorney's handling of the Duke lacrosse case intensifies, key members of the county's influential black community still back the prosecutor, though cautiously.
The district attorney, Mike Nifong, dropped rape charges Friday against former players David Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann after the 28-year-old accuser said she was unsure whether the players had penetrated her.
The move spurred outrage against the district attorney for continuing a case many legal experts say has completely unraveled.
But several members of Durham County's African American community said they believe Nifong is keeping his word to fully investigate.
"It's not going in our favor at this point," said Durham County commissioner Michael Page, adding that he felt Nifong would continue only if he had evidence of something occurring that deserved punishment.
"The question is what and who did it."
Cora Cole-McFadden, Durham's mayor pro tem, said she thinks Nifong is doing what he believes is right.
"I'd rather not be judgmental," she said. "I'm certainly anxious to see how this legal process is going to work."
The Rev. William Barber, president of the state chapter of the NAACP, urged patience.
"This is not a sound-bite case," Barber said. "We do not want a rush to judgment or a delay of justice."
The support of the African American community has been key for Nifong, who has received strong support among black voters.
More than a third of registered voters in Durham County are African American.
The accuser, an N.C. Central University student hired to perform as a stripper at a team party in March, has long said that three lacrosse team members raped her in a bathroom. On Thursday, however, she told an investigator that she was no longer sure that a penis was the body part that penetrated her.
The defendants still face at least 20 years in prison if convicted on the remaining charges of first-degree sexual offense and one count of kidnapping.
Nifong hasn't returned requests for comment. He told The New York Times on Thursday that the accuser is determined to continue. He said he will prosecute the players unless "she tells me these are not the right guys."
The players' lawyers and family have demanded the case be dropped based on lack of DNA evidence and questions about the accuser's credibility.
"It's hard to figure out how this DA is playing this," said Kevin Finnerty, father of Collin Finnerty. "It's pretty obvious to us that from the outset this man has been using this case for his own personal and political gain."
U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., and state Rep. Stephen LaRoque, a Lenoir County Republican, among others, have called for Nifong to be investigated for possible prosecutorial misconduct.
The Rev. Frederick Davis, pastor of First Calvary Baptist in Durham, said he is withholding judgment on Nifong until the case is over. He expressed concern of the media storm is having on the accuser stating he hopes she is receiving the proper counseling and family support.
"My prayers are with her," he said.
"It's not going in our favor at this point," said Durham County commissioner Michael Page
Hey Governor Easley, you must be proud of what is going on in your state!
Why are you letting it continue?
On on unrelated note, what is up with "the accuser" maintaining anonymity, while everyone else involved gets their mugs spread across the news networks, time magazine, the internet, etc. They also lost their jobs, whole athletic programs jettisoned, and on and on.
In the first few weeks after the party there were rumors that she had danced for a black fraternity party. They were probably just rumors.
I am *sure* the defense lawyers know her every move before and after the event.
Of course because they never judge themselves.
That pretty much explains everything.
Excellent post. BUMP what you said.
When the white jogger in NYC was gang raped the black newspapers published her name.
Hey Cash Michaels - are you going to print Crystal's name?
But they will tear Nifong apart like turkey at Christmas dinner when he finally throws the coked up accuser under the bus.
And in addition to other parallels to the Kobe Bryant case, we now have the penchant for anal intercourse. No semen in her vagina, but at least five semen samples swabbed out of her anus. One of the key factors in the Bryant case was that the accuser seems to have approved of vaginal intercourse but she said no when Kobe flipped her over and took her from the backside. I didn't realize there was such a growing trend for that sort of thing.
They just put in that motion about a week or so ago. I heard some pundits speculate that it probably won't be granted on grounds that people are saturated with news coverage everywhere!
Not only is a change of venue warranted, but a further bail reduction should be requested.
A good example why the defendants want a change of venue.
Did you read the headline? Blacks arent judging Nifong?
Wait until these guy walk , then they will judge him. Jufe him hard. They want white blood. they dont care about the guilt or innocence, They want blood and Nifong knows it.
Ha! They haven't judged Nifong. Not yet. Wait until the case gets dismissed! As we used to say in the Navy, "Stand by to stand by."
Thanks for the link. :)
Gee golly......ya think?
The Sewer of Durham doesn't deserve Duke. The university should be disassembled and moved elsewhere.
I would not say a lot. There are more than a few that feel that way, but those numbers have dropped quite quickly. Now the liberals over in Chapel Hill are a different story. I work for a small, but very liberal, company in the area and there are still a good number that refuse to believe the facts before them. Outside of the office I do not think I have met anyone that believes the charges anymore. But most of the local media, it seems at least, has started to turn against Nifong
As for the Rev. Barber, I do not think even he fully believes what he is saying anymore.
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