Posted on 03/27/2007 11:43:53 AM PDT by abb
(03/27/07-- DURHAM) - The pending outcome of the Duke Lacrosse case has one blogger waiting to write the final chapter of an upcoming book.
K.C. Johnson admits he has no personal ties to Durham, Duke University, or the three charged players in the Duke Lacrosse case. Yet, the Brooklyn College professor has a passion for digging up the most surprising details in the investigation. He has posted them on his popular website called Durham-in-Wonderland, a virtual watercooler where the public chats about the highly publicized case. His quick-witted commentary garners the attention of more than ten thousand viewers a day from the Triangle to New York. Now, the Duke Lacrosse case faithfuls can expect to hear more from the outspoken blogger in his upcoming book Until Proven Innocent, due in bookstores this fall.
"The purpose of the book is both to provide a narrative of the case itselfboth the political aspects of the case and the legal aspects of the case," Johnson said, adding that Until Proven Innocent will also take a look at the role of the news media and academics, specifically Duke's faculty.
"The title of the book is a take on how this case really develops," Johnson said. "After the three players were charged, they were effectively presumed guilty."
Johnson and the book's co-author Stuart Taylor, a senior correspondent for the National Journal, have spent months researching the case, interviewing the key players from community leaders to the accuser's family.
Still, Johnson's popular website doesn't withhold his criticism of the alleged victim, Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong and the Duke faculty members known as "The Group of 88."
"I try to speak with people on all sides as much as I possibly can," Johnson said, acknowledging he's had limited success speaking with relatives and friends of the alleged victim. He says the families of the charged players have been more forthcoming.
"My sense with all three families is that they want all of the information out in the public," Johnson said. "To the extent that the blog has gotten all of the information out and has kept focus on the case, I think they're very supportive."
Johnson, a history professor, writes daily for his website. However, the publication date for his book may depend on when he gets to write the final chapter. While he's prepared for a lengthy trial, he's ready to predict an end to the story.
"Historians aren't supposed to make predictions," Johnson said. "But it doesn't take a genius to figure out that the special prosecutors will likely drop the charges."
A spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office says the investigation of the Duke Lacrosse case is ongoing. The special prosecutors have spent weeks reviewing evidence and interviewing key witnesses. According to the spokesperson, the special prosecutors are expected to make a final decision soon, but no public announcement is planned for this week. The next hearing in the controversial case is set for May 7th.
I've seen cross-country skiing described as X-C skiing.
"Only if one is on the West Coast. Those of us in the East know the nic for Lacrosse is LAX"
In most of the East coast i'd think more people would think of LAX. There are not many places outside of Maryland or Long Island where many kids play lacrosse or many people care about it. A shame because i've been to a couple matches and they are fun.
We all did. At least that was the word. It's been agonizing for many of us who have been following the case for the past year. I can't even comprehend what it must be like for the boys & their families. The NC system is shameful & deserves the ridicule it's getting.
Since these are FORMER lacrosse players we are talking about, shouldn't they be referred to as EX-LAX?
Can they change the charges to something like "underage drinking" or "disorderly conduct" or some such menial charge just to make something stick so that they can somehow wind up "saving face?"
That's just the burrito you had for lunch. Take some Pepcid and you'll feel better ;-)
I don't know what the statute of limitations is in North Carolina for misdemeanors. In Kaleefornia, the DA has a year to file, and if it isn't filed, the case is dead. Someone may be thinking along the lines of trying to file misdemeanor drinking, or disorderly conduct charges, but if there is a one year deadline, it is too late.
LAO!
you made me spit my bevearge on the keyboard
And they've already suffered above & beyond. Can't believe it's been a year. They need to get off their behinds in Raleigh & admit they got nothin'.
Ditto!
At liestoppers we're planning to purchase the book simultaneously on the day that the charges are dropped. According to a recent article in the WSJ, it doesn't actually take that many purchases in a single day to push a book near the top of the list.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-sp....ports-headlines
Optimism creeps in for Duke parents
Families of accused hope charges to be dismissed soon
By Jeff Barker
Sun Reporter
March 28, 2007
Washington -- For Duke University men's lacrosse parents, this season's games are a little less meaningful, the tailgates a little more somber.
With three former players still accused of sexual assault, there are more solemn concerns than winning games.
"Let's have those three boys get exonerated. That's the only win that really matters," said Patricia Dowd of Northport, N.Y., whose son, Kyle, played for Duke last year but is not among the players charged.
A year after charges were filed, Duke parents are cautiously allowing themselves to believe they will soon get their wish.
With the North Carolina attorney general's office about to complete its investigation, parents say they have reason to expect that charges against Bethesda's David Evans and former teammates Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann will be dropped by prosecutors within the next few weeks. "That's what we've been hearing," said Sally Fogarty of Chevy Chase, whose son, Gibbs, is a sophomore Duke player.
As they ate sandwiches and drank Bloody Marys in a damp parking lot before the Blue Devils defeated Georgetown here Saturday, a handful of other Duke parents said they had heard much the same thing. Some of the parents' optimism comes from indications they've received from defense attorneys, and some from talking to players who have been interviewed by prosecutors.
The attorney general's office wouldn't discuss the direction of its investigation. "Our review of the case, including reviewing documents and conducting interviews, is continuing," Noelle Talley, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Roy Cooper, said in an e-mail.
But Talley also said: "Yes, we expect the review to be completed in the next few weeks."
Fogarty and other parents were guarded about discussing what they're hearing because they don't want to seem presumptuous or antagonize the prosecutors. "It could make the special prosecutors feel bullied," said John Walsh of Bethesda, whose son, Johnny, is a senior on the team.
At the least, Duke parents said they can begin to visualize the end of a year some describe as "horrible" or "surreal." It's a period, they said, in which they have tried to keep their lives from being poisoned by their rage at a district attorney they believe brought an unwarranted case.
snip
"...There are not many places outside of Maryland or Long Island where many kids play lacrosse or many people care about it..."
That statement might have been partially true some 20 years or more ago; however, you are mistaken.
Durham-in-Wonderland bump
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