(Civil) Suits endanger lacrosse panel (Duke Lacrosse)

newsobserver ^ | Aug 27, 2007 | Matt Dees and Joseph Neff

[maggief]

DURHAM - The spectre of massive civil lawsuits has put the future of a special committee probing the police’s handling of the Duke lacrosse case in limbo.

The city’s insurance provider advised last week that continued investigation by the panel could provide ammunition for a civil lawsuit, Mayor Bill Bell confirmed Monday.

Falsely accused Duke lacrosse players David Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann have hired powerful attorneys in anticipation of suing the city.

Seligmann has retained Barry Scheck, a prominent New York City lawyer whose high profile clients include O.J. Simpson and British nanny Louise Woodard. Evans and Finnerty have hired Brendan Sullivan Jr. and Chris Manning of Washington D.C.

The former players’ attorneys will meet with City Attorney Henry Blinder and other legal advisers next week.

Based on the outcome of those meetings, City Council members then will decide whether to allow the committee to continue or to suspend their activities indefinitely, Bell said.

“The nut of it is they’re suggesting we might want to stop right now,” he said.

Durham has a $5 million liability policy with The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania with a $500,000 deductible.

A clause in the city’s insurance policy says that there will be no coverage if the city “ elect[s] a third party to investigate, defend or settle such claims or suits.”

[bajabaja]

Haven't a clue what you're talking about here, noob.

Given Fred’s past experience with federal and state corruption, I would expect a Fred supporter to be more assertive of governmental and private actions to expose public corruption

You can start by not calling people noob. Debate, not ad hominem.

And then you can review Thompson's biography. At the federal level he was counsel to Senator Baker and the Republicans on the Watergate committee. I assume you are aware that involved federal corruption.

Then you can read the matter involving Fred and Governor Blanton. That involved state corruption and jail time and a movie.

Then you will know more about Thompson. And your education will be advanced by a "noob." A less condescending tone will help the appeal of your candidate, given your screen name. I look forward to you refuting what I said factually or your admitting that a "noob" might know more than you in this regard. Welcome to FreeRepublic debate.

[Ready4Freddy]

Ah. I've used this nick since long before Thompson joined L&O. It has nothing to do with him.

Yor'e jumping to conclusions here. Noob.

A less condescending tone will help the appeal of your candidate, given your screen name.

[goldstategop]

Well... they rushed to judge those kids guilty despite the absence of evidence. What can one say? Mt view is Durham needs to pony up the cash.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Ready4Freddy]

LOL, I finally read your complete post. You get all pompous on us, based on an incorrect assumption you made about my nick. ;>)

Sorry if my calling you a noob offended.

Cheers

Then you will know more about Thompson. And your education will be advanced by a "noob." A less condescending tone will help the appeal of your candidate, given your screen name. I look forward to you refuting what I said factually or your admitting that a "noob" might know more than you in this regard. Welcome to FreeRepublic debate.

[Ready4Freddy]

baja2, I apologize for the tone of my posts to you. I have been totally immersed in all things DukeLAX since the start, and I just could’t imagine that someone would actually think that the Whichard Comm was actually going to do something. Esp after the AIG news, which clearly shows that Whichard & the city knew about this all along.

And then my tone went downhill from there.

Your assumption that my nick Ready4Freddy referred to Fred Thompson was certainly a reasonable one, especially given our meeting ground.

I’m sorry. Can we try to start over?

/r4f

[ricmc2175]

Only three settled, not the other 43 impacted.