[JLS]

Let's see:

1. I doubt this case lasts through next week. This is too big a problem for NC now.

2. Mangum was never going to testify. She did not really start this. She merely cried rape to get out of a tight spot. The Duke leftist and Nifong started this.

3. Nifong is so egotistical that will want to appear to drop this himself and not have the judge or whomever gets it next to drop the case. Of course he is also very stuborn. It will be interesting to see how these competing aspects of Nifong, ego v. stubornness, play out this coming week.

4. I have read that the NC AG is a Dim who might want to run for Senate or Governor. So I doubt he allows this case to be kicked up to him as it would be a lose lose situation for him.

5. I wonder if even Dims can publically hire Nifong after this?

[Sue Perkick]

I completely agree. From what I've heard Cooper is eyeing the governor's mansion. Easley recently announced he will seek no political office in 2008. Interesting considering he is the one who appointed the Fong in the first place.

No idea who would hire him after this. He seems to have ZERO credibility at this point.

[Tom D.]

There is a hearing set for February 5 (if the case lives that long) where the defense is asking the judge to throw out the identification of the defendants because the process was so screwed up. If that motion is allowed (and I believe it should be) the case seems to me to go away: no DNA and no id by woman. This may be the easiest way out for the Court and for the prosecution and probably for the woman in question.