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."
Kimberly Guifoyle.....eat your glossy lips.
Photos are consistent with statements. They say photos corroborate. Injuries were on her when she came there.
How do they get their reputation back?
If there's no DNA
Then the boys get to play.
Hey Kimberly Guifoyle--step up--be a woman---APOLOGIZE to these men NOW
I can hardly wait for Dan Abrams at 6 p.m.............he's bound to be on live.......and there is going to be HELL to pay!
Shall we wait? LOL.
Even Sharpton stayed away from THIS one...
You said,
Hey, where should i watch for the flood of apologies?
Exactly!
The people have ruined these kids lives. The E-mail thing was wrong too, but the DA knew the kid was talking about a movie they had all watched (American Psycho), yet he only released on misleading e-mail.
I think it was the DA that said DNA was bulletproof, before the SBI let him know the Preliminary results were not good. That's when the DA started backtracking and then went into hiding.
.
.
Abrams now showing the press conference.
NO DNA! Just heard it too on FNC. I hope those students sue; that DA had no RIGHT, none whatsoever, speaking about them the way he did.
Does this mean the case is over?
Says this is a bombshell.
No DNA on fingernails is the big deal. Panelist says it might have been someone not tested.
They say DNA will not drop case.
Remember this hysterical one Howlin?
a href="http://www.fayettevillenc.com/local/article_ap?id=83512">Duke players' attorneys attack the accuser's credibility
Wendy Murphy, a former Massachusetts prosecutor and adjunct professor at Boston's New England School of Law who teaches a seminar on sexual violence, said releasing details of the photos was a sign that lawyers were worried the DNA testing would produce a match with some of the players.
"If the DNA isn't going to match, they wouldn't need to do this," she said. "It's almost comical that they think a photograph is proof positive that a rape didn't happen. It's not a smoking gun. It's a muddying of the waters."
Abrams playing DA quote from 3/31.
DA said absence of DNA not important.
Abrams mentioning photos showing bruises before alleged rape.
So, there you go. You've stated your opinion, I've stated mine and I don't intend to rehash it again.
I am going to say it again only this time with much more certainty than I did before on a previous thread: These boys did NOT rape that girl.
Oh yeah......lots of words to be eaten!
Unless this DA is a complete idiot.
DURHAM, N.C. -- There is no DNA match between members of Duke University's men's lacrosse team and an exotic dancer who told police she was raped at a team party, attorneys for the team said Monday.
Citing DNA test results delivered by the state crime lab to police and prosecutors a few hours earlier, the attorneys said the test results prove their clients did not sexually assault and beat a stripper hired to perform at a March 13 team party.
No charged have been filed in the case.
You are so right.
They said that there wasn't even any evidence that she had HAD sex.
When does that repulsive Kim on Fox come on?
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