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."
N. Carolina Central Rallies Behind Alleged Victim of Duke Team Rape
The incident has created a firestorm across Durham and on the campus of Duke University, where Duke University students and hundreds of members of the surrounding community have been holding candlelight vigils and protest rallies, placing fliers on the house where the incident took place.
Duke University Rape Case Raises Issues of Race and Class in Durham
A number of students and community members have rallied to support the woman. Last Wednesday, activists distributed "wanted" flyers with photos of lacrosse players as hundreds participated in the annual Take Back the Night march against rape.
I'm also thinking Nifong's primary may not go too well...He may be on a very loooong vacation
Hi Howlin.
I don't have any particulars on the Kobe Bryant case. I did not follow it that closely.
'Pod.
You're absolutely right about that. Something sure smells fishy here.
Tawana was a chunk at 5'4" and 152.
Yea, did you see the criminal history posted. It was pretty amazing. If you haven't seen it, let me know and I'll PM it to you so as not to clog up this thread.
And that was in 2002. I'm thinking Kim passed muster with the lax team and beat-up short fat Mangum did not which may be part of the conflict.
LOL!
MARK JOHNSON, CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Greta, according to the reports from authorities and defense lawyers, essentially they were unhappy that they didn't get a long enough dance, I guess is the short way to put it. They paid $800 and they're complaining according to defense lawyers is that the women came in and danced for only a few minutes when it was supposed to be a couple of hours left and of course these guys were unhappy. They felt like they had been ripped of. The women took the money with them.
Couldn'tve happened to a better school. Go Terps!
Howlin has this article from American Thinker been posted here?
More and more like Tawana Brawley
The rape accusations against the lacrosse team at Duke university, brought by an exotic dancer, are beginning to resemble those of Tawana Brawley. According to 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.
John McIntyre of Real Clear Politics properly denounced the eagerness of the feminists and their media allies to proclaim
...the idea that there is some kind of “culture of rape” at Duke University is just absurd. This type of attitude is a by-product of the Women’s Studies, leftist mentality that is so prevalent among student activists and faculty on college campuses.
Al Sharpton never apologized for his role in the Tawana Brawley scam. I don’t expect any better from the New York Times and its press allies who publicized th charges, should they prove to be a hoax.
Thomas Lifson 4 10 06
Yea, she showed up tipping the scales at 150+, drunk or high, covered with cuts and bruises, and danced for 4 minutes for $400 and fell face down on the carpet and then camped out in their bathroom for 29 minutes or whatever. and they didn't treat her like a princess? Big surprise. They should have had her arrested.
"Part of the problem," observes Duke Law Professor James Coleman, "is that everybody wants immediate responses, immediate answers, and I just don't think that's how the real world works."
Coleman told Regan the case has become too public, too soon: "If you look at what's happening from a criminal investigation, for example, you have a prosecutor that's been out there, basically, developing his case in the media."
And it's not just the prosecutor, Regan points out.
Now, the defense attorneys are playing offense, as well.
The group led by that minister in Durham were there suposedly in support of the woman who made the accusations.
The Kobe Bryant case never went to trial... the alledged victim elected to go for the money rather than justice. Thus supporting Bryant's assertion that it was "ftiendly" not "forced".
Yes, that would be the productive and admirable use of time and manpower.
Not that I know of; those posters were all over the campus and town as soon as it was announced.
Isn't it awful!
Dan Abrams just announced that the DNA results have been delivered to the DA.
How long will the DA sit on the results?
Not being an attorney I have no idea...Are there usually preliminary reports and final reports with DNA?
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