Posted on 01/16/2007 10:03:31 AM PST by freespirited
This week Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong could be slapped with more charges related to his handling of the Duke Lacrosse case.
This week the State Bar Council will be holding its quarterly meetings in Raleigh. During this time, the agency could add ethics charges against the Durham district attorney.
Nifong recused himself from the Duke Lacrosse case shortly after the state bar filed an ethics complaint against him last month. He's accused of misconduct for statements he made to the media last spring.
In a letter obtained by Eyewitness News, defense attorney, Joe Cheshire requested to meet with Nifong in March about the statements.
"I do not understand why you will reportedly speak to the media in such certain, condemning terms before all the evidence is in, but you will not have the courtesy to meet or even speak with a representative of someone you have publicly condemned," Cheshire stated in the letter.
Nifong could also face additional charges for withholding DNA evidence that was favorable to the accused players. Evidence that is now in the hands of the state's Attorney General.
"We accept these cases with our eyes wide open to the evidence, but with blinders on for all other distractions," Roy Cooper said.
The State Bar Council meets today.
The council will decide this spring if his public comments about the case were a violation of the professional rules of conduct. Nifong's ethics meeting is scheduled for May.
No Federal Probe
The U.S. Attorney General's office has responded to Congressman Walter Jones' request for a federal probe of the Duke Lacrosse Case.
In a letter delivered Thursday, Alberto Gonzales' office wrote that it would be, "Premature to initiate a federal investigation pending a criminal trial."
This means the Attorney General will not be getting involved in the case at this time.
What's needed right now, and I am trying to be helpful to CNN here -- Is for Otter and John Belushi to crash the interview.
Under what theory of law is this a federal issue?
I suggest you read the thread, and ask those who are demanding the DOJ step in. It wasn't me.
Show's over--wasn't too bad.
Great visuals. Can't wait for
the first CGM interview.
Wonder if Jakki will do her makeup and hair like she does for all the girls?
As a Libertarian concerned about the damage that can be done by overweening officials at all levels, I am eager for the Feds to keep states on the right side of the constitution. It is an ethics violation for a prosecutor to prosecute when he lacks clear and convincing evidence and even more so when it is clear that there is exculpatory evidence. Every day of delay is another day of $500 / hr legal expenses that can ruin a defendant. Given the expenses of a defense it is a violation of due process to expect someone to pay for his defense when he is clearly innocent.
There is no state right to prosecute the innocent.
Guess she played her hand at a "celebrityness grab" better than Kim? :P
Thank you for the sums of this interview, xoxoxox and Mad-Margaret.
Jakki is yet to be up on the screen with Paula?
Don't hold your breath! This is Jakki telling us that Crystal has representation, will be speaking out, and must pull herself up by her boot straps.
I want my hour back.
There is a certain irony in people who alledge they are conservatives but suddenly see imaginary federal authority in a state case. If is the State of North Carolina's responsibility to discipline Mr. Nifong for the scandalous manner in which he has handled this case. The Scandal, however, remains a state issue and has no federal jurisdiction.
Let us eschew making federal mountains out of what should have been a county molehill.
They represent the people. Their job is every bit as much to leave those citizens alone for whom there is insufficient evidence to assure a clear conviction as it is to secure conviction of the clearly guilty. A DA looking at someone cross-eyed can set him back $100,000 in legal fees. There is much more at stake than just a "fair" trial. The trial is unfair if it never should have happened in the first place.
Thank you, Mad-Margaret. My family thanks you.
Great post.
Time for antacids for me...
maggief, I can't find my
"jakki brushin' her teeth picture!"
You watched it too, abb... Bless you. And May that antacid, WITH WATER (remember), work immediately.
I would love to see some "ticket factories" in Virginia shut down by the Supreme Court, for instance.
When the LA Police Officers were duly acquitted in the Rodney King case, the Feds couldn't wait to jump in with charges of "denying civil rights," ran them through a kangaroo court, and locked up the cops for many a year. The Feds are 'empowered' to act any damn time they feel like it and don't kid yourself otherwise.
maggief, I can't find my
"jakki brushin' her teeth picture!"
I haven't seen one of her brushing her teeth. I have one of her at her dressing table. I still have all those photos at my profile for quick use by anyone, anytime.
Neither the AG nor the justices of the SC are "some federal bureaucrat."
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