Posted on 12/22/2006 9:15:57 AM PST by abb
Just heard from Julia Lewis on TV.
Nifong filing to dismiss rape charges. Will keep SA and kidnap charges.
IIRC they only tested her underwear.
Oh, I see. She only filed a false sworn statement on the rape, which we know only from DNA. Otherwise, she's credible. This should be a good lesson not to hang with people of low moral character. Strippers should have higher integrity. :-)
White or black jury, it will be tough for the defense to explain why they paid for a prostitute to come to their home.
Then every woman who is raped is also kidnapped, right?
Well IF it goes to trial, it likely won't happen in Durham. So I still got a shot.
{{{{happydance}}}}
Kidnapping can involve moving someone against their will as little as a couple of inches, if it puts them at greater risk. He has the elements of kidnapping here. What he doesn't have is any proof that any of it actually happened.
Anybody know if there's an NC equivalent to 'sexual battery' (i.e. groping)? That's probably what he's hoping to bargain for.
The hearing on the 5th is still a great chance to throw this whole thing out....
Coming to court looking like a glazed donut probably wouldn't help her case either :)
That's a heck of a good question.
With the limited information available, it appears that she is standing by her identification of the trio, but cannot be sure she was actually penetrated (vaginally or anally). Because she cannot swear to being penetrated, the rape charges go away.
This turnaround on her part, however, would appear to shred any semblence of coherence in Liefong's case.
The 2nd lab received (and conceivably tested) all of the clothing she wore that night. (See the list of clothing submitted to that lab.)
For those not familiar with the legal definitions, sexual assault means someone put a one dollar bill down her g-string. On the other hand, a twenty would not be considered sexual assault. 5 and 10 dollar bills are in a gray area, legally speaking, so they are decided based on who has the best lawyer.
So I wonder what he just learned that makes him think they're innocent now?
I hope the boys and their parents go after him with everything they've got. Nifong is ruined.
I would be a bit disappointed not to see that lying ho on the stand.
How bout indicting Nfong for raping the justice system? For kidnapping the lives of three innocent young men? For assault on the electoral system?
>>Also I would wonder if rape shield laws are enforce when rape is not alledged?<<
Darned good question. On a related note, I was a little concerned about what would happen if the judge did not allow the dna evidence as admissible. And then I remembered. All you have to do is get a witness (even one of the accused) to mention it, and it becomes very relevant. It would have to be discussed in the courtroom to some degree.
Some may be right about this DA planning on reducing the charges all along. The dna twist really screws him though. It looks like he was too smart by half.
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