Anton,
Unfortunately you're right, it happens more than in other places. However, a long time, highly respected lawyer NOT involved in the case made a public statement questioning why Nifong would do this? He said that the DA in Neighboring Wake county would never have acted in this manner.
The have latitude, I think. Nifong shut up in a hurry when he did stop talking. He had a full day planned, he had made appointments with various media outlets and then he suddenly cancelled on them. I think someone in a position of authority - or someone he respects - made him aware of his actions. His office confirmed the appointment 24 hours earlier and suddenly he wouldn't give any interviews - after doing it 12-14 hours a day. Someone may have made him aware that he was bringing the area close to violence or riots. A Duke student was attacked by black NCCU student at a local fast food place and they called him a Rapist before they assualted him. Nifong's behavior was/is irresponsible, at best.
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Oak, I think you are being too charitable to this unethical prosecutor. From the time line you have given, it sounds as though he cnacelled his appearances about the time the photos showed up showing the drunken slut was already beat up when she got there. That makes his story fall apart.