Posted on 01/11/2007 8:13:33 PM PST by Howlin
CBS) The forensic expert hired by the prosecutor in the Duke rape case says he made a "big error" in judgment by not stating in his report that the only DNA he found on the accuser was from several men who were not on the Duke lacrosse team.
Dr. Brian Meehan speaks with 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl in his first interview about the controversial case this Sunday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
Meehan acknowledged that he has never omitted potentially exculpatory evidence before. "We haven't done that before," he tells Stahl. "In retrospect, I should have done a better job of conveying that information."
Meehan has stated that he told the prosecutor, Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong, about the other DNA for the first time in mid-April. Later that same month, Nifong indicted three Duke lacrosse players. Meehan has also said in court proceedings that he and Nifong agreed before the evidence tests were completed that his report should be limited to positive matches between the accuser and the players at the team party where she says she was sexually assaulted last March.
Meehan says writing an incomplete report violates his own firm's standards. "It was an error in judgment on my part. It certainly was a big error," says Meehan. He says his firm wasn't trying to hide the information and that it released it when it was asked. But his client's behavior irks him, he says.
Nifong took six months to tell the players' defense attorneys about the other DNA, as required by law and during that time, Nifong filed a court motion that stated he was not aware of any potentially exculpatory evidence.
The fact that Nifong withheld the information and knew it before he indicted their sons has outraged the parents of the accused. "You felt like someone hit you with a baseball bat. It was almost too much to bear, as we sat there," says Kathy Seligmann, whose son, Reade, is among the three indicted players. "And [Nifong is] sitting 10 feet away from us."
It enraged Mary Ellen Finnerty, mother of Collin Finnerty, another indicted player. "I think [I felt] one of the strongest feelings of rage that I've had I literally had to turn to my husband, because I was shaking from my head to my toe, and say, 'Hold me down,'" recalls Finnerty. Adds Seligmann, "And we had to hold on to each other because when you sit there and put two and two together and realize that it was calculated set up to make these boys appear to be guilty of something they didn't do."
When asked what they would say to Nifong if he were in the room, Rae Evans, the mother of indicted player David Evans, says, "I would say with a smile on my face, 'Mr. Nifong, you've picked on the wrong families and you will pay every day for the rest of your life.'"
Last month, after the results of the tests were ordered released by a judge and the accuser told an investigator she was no longer certain she had been penetrated by a male sex organ, rape charges were dropped by Nifong. The three players still face charges of sexual assault and kidnapping.
Well, in that case, Howlin, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. I never saw Ed's story, as I swore that I would never watch a CBS news-based program again.
They have me for CSI, Numbers, Survivor and Amazing Race, however, for I am a shallow woman and easily lured....
WOW.........I didn't see Greta, thanks for reporting that.
Sue, who is the professor from NCCU that they all trot out to speak on this case for "balance."
Just wanted everyone to see my new tag line---
Maybe Nifong could get John Edwards to take his case. It'll be quite the low-life extravaganza.
Oh crap. I have to admit I've seen that movie and get the reference. Aaargh! Grey cells dying.
I confess, the only reason I really like to watch Greta is to see Ted Williams pop a vein in his head. Unfortunately, he must be in hiding.
Never mind, it's too long---
Look for some of it here:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/11/60minutes/main2082140.shtml
It was excellent, RCG!
And we are all cheap dates or we would not be here on this thread.......LOL.
We get what you mean though. ;)
I think he's past prez of the Forsyth (sp?) County Bar Assn.
Seriously. She sounds JUST like that movie. I just laughed.
We knew this was going to happen; that woman is the president of the LPGA, FGS; they are dead serious.
Thanks :>)
Alas, I heard on the news tonight that Edwards is no longer among us; he sold his Raleigh house today and now is a resident of Chapel Hill.
Oh, wait.......that's kind of close to Durham.
And he DOES help poor people.......perhaps we should give him a call!
Note to Nifong: You pissed off the wrong team, the wrong players, and the wrong mamas. IOW - Oh man, you are so screeeeewed.
Yeah, Joyner. What an idiot. He reminded me of that character on "Amos and Andy" -- "SteppinFetchIt".
And now for more fun from the Triangle:
Mike Peterson goes back on trial in June in the civil case!
With Nifong in the role of the big worm.
Usually, I can't stand watching Greta, but sometimes she and the panel are good. Greta has done a good job with this case! :-)
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