NIFONG FILING TO DISMISS RAPE CHARGES (DukeLax)

WRAL ^ | December 22, 2006 | LTCK86

[abb]

Just heard from Julia Lewis on TV.

Nifong filing to dismiss rape charges. Will keep SA and kidnap charges.

[Vision]

I'm ready for a huge nationwide backlash against local government corruption.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

"So I wonder what he just learned that makes him think they're innocent now?"

Nothing. She wouldn't be able to testify to penetration, so he has no choice. He's going for the lesser (I guess) charges where he doesn't have to use her testimony or produce any evidence which would lead to his having to admit that he suppressed evidence (CYA). There's still the lineup to get around, but he has moved it to the arena of he said/she said which is impossible to prove and impossible to disprove.

It then drags on to see who is going to chicken out first. In our case, it was our son. In this case, my money is on the D.A.

[sissyjane]

This whole case was about Nifong trying to get elected in mostly black Durham. It's never been about anything but.

[Crawdad]

Take the politics out of it.

That's rather naive.

[brydic1]

The problem for Nifong. He owes his soul and political future to the black racists that infest Durham. If he dares not bring this to court (even knowing he will lose in court) his future is over and he might well be in danger of his life in that community. The black racist KKK types led by Sharpton, the Black Muslims and Jackson might literally have his head.

[Locomotive Breath]

And I will add that Mangum's claims got a whole lot more investigation and resources from a much less credible person than KW's.

[JLS]

I agree this could be one step in ditching all these charges by Nifong.

But also he could cynically think that if he drops the rape charge a Durham jury would convict on the others "knowing" she was raped too. This to me adds tons of fuel to the change of venue fire.

[marajade]

This is about a woman who believes she was assaulted. Nifong maybe doing what he thinks he was elected to do. DAs charge weak cases and lose them all the time.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

"doesn't have to use her testimony, "

Let me re-phrase that..."where he doesn't have her testimony".

[writmeister]

I wonder if CGM's new lesser rememberance of the supposed assault will factor into Judge Smith's determination of whether the lineup was proper and whether those improprieties would taint any in-court identification.

[ArmstedFragg]

I've worked for charging prosecutorial attorneys before and sometimes you've gotta charge even though you think you'll lose

Yeah, but... in those cases you make the decision to charge because you think the incident actually happened.

[Sue Perkick]

Crystal made the story up. (all of them) Nifong made an opportunity out of it.

[steve-b]

Cases like this are why the government needs less power.

True, but irrelevant to this case. Anyone who isn't an outright anarchist agrees that the government should have the power to prosecute (actual) rapists and other (real) criminals... which in turn means that effective institutional safeguards against the abuse of this power are required.

[marajade]

"Yeah, but... in those cases you make the decision to charge because you think the incident actually happened."

I believe you're getting it.

[freeperfromnj]

If he dares not bring this to court (even knowing he will lose in court) his future is over and he might well be in danger of his life in that community

If it were my son, I'd go after him in the courts, bankrupt him and make sure his future was over. Ruin his life they way he tried to ruin the lives of those students. How does he sleep at night?

[Carolinamom]

Defense to hold press conference at 3pm.

[captnorb]

Fire their assbutts

[abb]

Fox News reports defense team presser @ 3PM EST.

[Main Street]

[lawdude]

"Nifong did not drop "sexual offense" and kidnapping charges."

Yup, I saw that. But they will fight the charges and force her to testify. When subject to X-examination, she will fall apart like a 'house of cards' in a hurricane.