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."
Two weeks is an inordinatedly long time in a high profile case such as this.
If some woman had falsely accused me of rape and had spent half an hour in my bathroom, I'd be pretty worried about DNA test results. I'm sure there were lots of hair samples available.
I'm not sure she was in any shape to be that clever--I'd be more worried about her buddy "Kim".
Aaaah, "activists" did it. Typical. I might have known. . Well, they oughta be ashamed of themselves.
I thought it was strange the way the DA went so public with this case, and pre-judged the investigation by assuming guilt and accepting the woman's story at face value. DAs are normally very tight-lipped prior to the filing of charges, and this guy seemed very unprofessional, a media grandstander.
No, I didn't see the criminal history posted. Thanks.
He came right out of the gate swinging, didn't he?
That was the first thing that made me go "Hmmm..."
Back, but not made public?
what are you talking about?.....the criminal case never got off the ground....but even before that Bryant stated he regretted any "misunderstanding" about what happened.. that was after many statements that NOTHING happened whatsoever.......what in the world does that mean?
you think maybe every 19 yro girl wants her whole life destroyed, her family threatened...and her private life exposed just for kicks?... yet.....she was all set to go thru the criminal trial....
and please point out where the girl elected to go for the money....as I understand it, Bryant decided to not have to give a deposition in the civil proceedings in order to save face, and HE wanted to settle, and settle quickly...if you have proof otherwise, please post it....
I'm not sure she was in any shape to be that clever--I'd be more worried about her buddy "Kim".
No doubt. If you listen to the 911 call about being called n----r, she has a little fake cry she pulls out a couple times.
Don't worry, you won't have to watch very long...........LOL. It's on right at the very beginning and not too long a segment.
But I will tell you this: at the end of his show in "his part" he slams that NY Times article about Duke. and its reaction to these charges.
Not made public yet.
Wake me when you hear!
LAX ping...
By Steve Lipsher Denver Post Staff Writer
The woman who accused Kobe Bryant of rape reimbursed the state's victim-compensation fund $20,000 on Thursday as a result of her civil settlement with the basketball star, officials said.
The payment officially closes the case against Bryant, ending a saga of almost two years.
The money - used to pay for the 19-year-old woman's mental-health counseling and lost wages - at one point became the subject of a heated dispute during the criminal proceedings, as defense attorneys suggested it gave her motivation to press charges.
The woman, now 20, reached an undisclosed settlement with Bryant on March 2 in a federal civil suit after dropping out of the criminal case on the eve of trial last September.
Under state law, victim's compensation must be repaid in the case of a civil award, regardless of the outcome of a criminal case, although administrators admit they don't often learn of outside settlements.
The terms are secret, but law experts say the NBA star could pay his accuser $300,000 to $4 million.
By Howard Pankratz and Mike McPhee Denver Post Staff Writers
Kobe Bryant and the woman who accused him of raping her at a Colorado resort reached a settlement Wednesday when lawyers representing both asked that her civil lawsuit against the NBA star be dismissed.
In a joint request, lawyers for both sides asked U.S. District Judge Richard Matsch to dismiss the case with prejudice, meaning it can not be filed again.
The request in U.S. District Court in Denver was signed by Hal Haddon, representing Bryant, and Lin Wood, the Atlanta-based attorney representing the woman.
Although no papers were filed indicating a monetary settlement, most lawyers believe Bryant probably paid the woman a substantial sum of money.
In a news release, the lawyers simply said the lawsuit "has been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties. The parties and their attorneys have agreed that no further comments about the matter can or will be made
The players all said they didn't have sex with her, consensual or otherwise. A DNA match would be a massive blow to their creditibility.
I think we know one way or another within 24 hours. If there is a match, the DA isn't going to want to wait so that the matched players can possibly flee. If there is no match, the defense isn't going to want to continue to put their clients through the nightmare of speculation of did they or didn't they?
Please, please, please do not resurrect that horrible Kobe Bryant dispute. Don't you remember how mind numbing it was the first time? Let's not relive it just to prove a point.
PLEASE!
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