And when I toss mine, will you hold on to me tight, I may go over with it, as my knees are a little weak from this morning's go-round, but I just keep on, keepin' on. It's worth it if these kids are okay and it looks like they will be now.
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=4862609
Nifong Rejects Threats of Charges in Duke Case
By Tamara Gibbs
(12/18/06 -- DURHAM) - New information in the Duke Lacrosse rape case. The U.S. Attorney General says his department is considering whether to investigate the Duke Lacrosse rape case.
North Carolina Congressman Walter Jones sent a letter to the Justice Department asking for a federal probe.
Eyewitness News has learned the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division is reviewing the letter.
On behalf of hundreds of Duke alumni, a group issued a statement Monday, not only endorsing Congressman Jones' call for a federal investigation, but also calling for criminal charges against Nifong.
Not since his campaign for district attorney has Mike Nifong faced such a firestorm of criticism. Adding to the flame, the admission by DNA Security's Director Brian Meehan, that he and Nifong agreed to withhold certain DNA test results to protect the privacy of Duke lacrosse players.
Some of those results showed DNA from several men had been found on the accuser. Defense attorney, Joe Cheshire explains, "It begs some very serious questions and I'll let you all ask the questions."
While the defense questions Nifong's motives, Eyewitness News has learned a letter from Congressman Walter Jones sent to the U.S. Attorney General is being reviewed by the department's Civil Right's Division.
There's no word on whether there will be a federal investigation, and no word from Nifong on the possible fallout. "I don't really want to comment on anything involving the case outside of courtroom," Nifong said.
Nifong did tell Eyewitness News that he believes he can fairly prosecute the Duke Lacrosse rape case, and while he prepares for the battle in the courtroom, there's a battle brewing on the outside.
Jason Trumpbour, with Friends of Duke, a grassroots organization comprised of Duke alumni told Eyewitness News that the group endorses Congressman Jones' request for a federal probe.
"This is hardly a witch hunt," Trumpbour explained. He said they're taking it a step further, calling for criminal charges against the Durham prosecutor. "These are willful violations of both the professional conduct and the actual application of a law. It's more than just a mistake," Trumpbour said.
Nifong did tell Eyewitness News that he wasn't concerned about Congressman Jones' complaint to the U.S. Justice Department.
The next pre-trial hearing in the case is set for February 5, 2007. The judge is expected to consider at least two defense motions calling for the photo lineup to be thrown out of court and a request to change the location of the trial.
[snip]
How did The Herald Sun get such important principles and rights so wrong?
Under America's laws those three young men don't have to prove anything. The burden of proof is on the prosecution. But the fact that there is no evidence whatsoever that the players committed rape during a team party in March is of no consequence to Nifong, Ashley and their enablers.
Evans, Finnerty and Seligmann are being persecuted -- I use that word deliberately -- not for anything they've done, but for who they are. That's a chilling turn of events, one that should concern every resident of Durham and anyone else who cares about justice.
What's being done to those three young men is so chilling and so perverted that I'll no longer be a silent witness to Mike Nifong's malicious, possibly criminal, disregard of justice and The Herald-Sun's cheerleading for him.
[snip]
http://johninnorthcarolina.blogspot.com/2006/12/real-editor-for-durham.html