Posted on 04/09/2006 5:16:52 PM PDT by wagglebee
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - Time-stamped photographs will show an exotic dancer was already injured and "very impaired" when she arrived at a party where she claims she was raped by members of Duke University's men's lacrosse team, an attorney for one of the players said Sunday.
Durham attorney Bill Thomas said some of the photographs, taken when she arrived at the house, indicate the woman was injured before getting to the party March 13. They show extensive bruises and scrapes on her legs, especially around the knees, he said.
"This young lady was substantially impaired. She had fallen several times during the course of the evening," Thomas said.
He declined to identify the player he represents and said he would not release the photos, taken by at least two cameras, until pending DNA tests are completed.
He also wouldn't say whether the photos were taken by a lacrosse team member or someone else; court documents have indicated that only team members were present at the party.
No one has been charged in the case, but the allegations that members of the nearly all-white team raped the woman, a black student at a nearby university, have rocked both Duke and Durham.
The allegations have led to the resignation of coach Mike Pressler, the cancellation of the lacrosse season and the suspension of one player from school.
Several dozen people gathered Sunday outside the house where the party took place, and pledged to return each Sunday until the case is resolved.
"Whether I want to believe it, or whether you want to believe it, something took place in there," said Johnny Williamson, 36, of Durham. "Something indecent took place."
District Attorney Mike Nifong, who was expected to return this week from an out-of-town conference and has not commented on the case in the past several days, has said previously he is confident a rape occurred. Court documents said a medical exam of the alleged victim found injuries consistent with sexual assault.
The victim has not returned repeated messages seeking comment, but her father said Sunday she hasn't changed her story.
"I expect them to say that," he said of the lawyers' contentions his daughter is lying.
The woman and the other dancer arrived separately, Thomas said, and performed briefly before leaving. The victim told police she and the other dancer left because they feared for their safety, but were later convinced to come back inside.
Thomas said the photos contradict the alleged victim's assertion she was scared, as they show her standing at the door of the off-campus house with "a major grin on her face" as she tried to get back inside.
"People inside the house have stated she was banging on the door, attempting to regain entry," Thomas said.
The woman told police she was pulled into a bathroom and assaulted after coming back into the house. But Thomas said the woman locked herself in the bathroom, where police later found her purse, cell phone, and several artificial fingernails she claimed to have lost during a struggle with her attackers.
Thomas said one of the attorneys representing team members had interviewed the other dancer extensively, and she said the alleged victim never told her about a rape.
"All of these statements you've heard ... about this brutal assault, rape, kidnapping and robbery which occurred, I believe that the public will soon be able to learn the truth, and that these allegations are totally false and without merit," Thomas said.
Both the team's captains and attorneys for team members have said the DNA tests, which may be completed this week, will prove the allegation are false. The players' attorneys also have raised other questions about the allegations, saying e-mails written in the hours after the alleged attack will help prove the players' claims that nothing happened that night.
Attorneys also have raised suspicions about a 911 call, made shortly after the alleged attack would have occurred, from a black woman who claimed someone at the party shouted racial slurs at her and a friend. The caller alternatively told police the pair were driving and walking past the house. Thomas said Sunday he and other attorneys believe the second dancer at the party made the call.
"These young men have been absolutely vilified in the press," Thomas said. "I think this week we will go a long ways toward clearing these young men's names. I can assure you that this has been a nightmare for each and every one of them."
Ah, no, it's not.
You're not alone; I tried to count the blatant lies last week, but couldn't keep up.
The rumors have it that the results came back late Thursday.
Where the heck do you think he's going to coach?
The masss hysteria and hype has ruined him, too.
I remember the case of Tawana Brawley very well. I lived in NY at the time.
How did she benfit from her charge?
hey..that was good!
There is also something very strange and peculiar about Kimberly Guilfoyle's alleged smiles and facial expressions.
Slick Willie was an Oscar winner with his lip biting and feigned tears.
But Hillary never seems to ever be able to give a genuine smile, chuckle, or laugh.
As Kimberly Guilfoyle fakes her smiles she always seems to be thinking of her next lie &/or slander while at the same time thinking of her hair, makeup, and lipstick.
My impression is that of a cheap plastic mannequin with a string to pull-start her monotonous vocal digitized spiel.
She was raped by your "Mr. Bryant"....I am sure a position that you envy. As for the rest of your incomprehensible rambling, God help you.
I didn't mean to disparage North Carolina, which I dearly love, but something is comforting this prosecutor into acting unethically with no fear of consequences.
How did she benfit from her charge?
I've got a better question: Do you recall how much Stephen Pagones was harmed?
More like a Tawana Brawly situation, although I'm still keeping an open mind -- for now.
My question is why would they let a women in that looked so bruised and battered.
My old football coach used to preach, "Even if a woman says no right before penetration, then No is No!"
I'm operating under the assumption the accused rapists are innocent until proven guilty. I don't think the protestors at Duke and the LameStream Press operate under that assumption.
Brawley and her family kept a "defense" fund with at least $300,000.
As for the coach, somebody mentioned that he was forced to resign.
BTW, a former ball boy (who happens to be black), mentioned how well he got along with the players and never saw signs of racism. (he was on one of the shows (maybe Abrams Report or O'Reilly Factor?).
That was a fabricated headline by OakOak. OakOak is a new FReeper account established on April 7, 2006.
22 Duke lacrosse thread posts on his/her first day.
77 Duke Lacrosse threads posts on his/her 2nd day(April 8)
67 Duke Lacrosse thread posts on his/her 3rd day.
Oak Oak is on a mission. Oak Oak may even be a group. Or OakOak is a seasoned Freeper that does not to reveal how personally absorbed they are with this Duke Lacrosse story and so they formed a new account. OakOak has changed an article title, interpretted and highlighted the article and posts to himself/herself. The fabricated title posted by OakOak served its purpose if that is what influenced you to give it credibility because is was "reported" by Oak Oak right here on Free Republic.
The state of NC tried the "sovereign immunity" defense a few years ago with regard to an "intangibles tax" they were levying and with differences in how they levy income tax on retirees from state employment (state retirement plan - no tax, "optional retirement plan" TIAA/CREF - pay tax). They lost. If it didn't work for the state it won't work for the city.
Unlike in the Duke case, in Kobe's case it was the victim who started to get serious death threats.
He's a heck of a good coach, fairly young, and he has time to rehabilitate himself especially if it was found he had no direct involvement. The players have limited eligibility and what they've lost is lost forever.
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