Reade Seligmann Testimony
Seligmann opens by talking about his athletic and academic prowess in high school, and then moves on to discuss finding out about the allegations (from the newspaper).
Q: Were you reluctant to give DNA?
A: No—was told that this would be the best way to prove innocence.
As he was leaving the police station following his giving of DNA, Gottlieb told him that the police would take care of everything, and clear the case up; that everything would be just fine. “Don’t you worry.”
After story broke with Nifong’s statements, statements “turned our world upside down.” Affected how professors viewed the players.
Show video of protest on Duke campus from March 29—the day when the potbangers spread the “wanted” posters.
Had to change their way of life on campus—”wanted” poster.
Was taking an African-American history class (taught by Group of 88 member Raymond Gavins)—his study partner drops him, publishes a piece in the Chronicle comparing the Duke lacrosse team to the Jim Crow south.
Notes effect of Nifong’s false claim of wall of silence by students.
Everyone on team assumed that it was going to be the three guys who lived in the house—”never thought in a million years that I would ever be a suspect.”
His father is there; he sat to the ground, and said his life is over. Got up; he and his father were hugging each other. First thing he thought about was how he was going to tell his mother.
[People in the courtroom are audibly crying as they are listening to this testimony.]
[This is extremely powerful testimony; the three panelists are watching intently.]
Learned that he would be indicted on his mother’s birthday.
In the room as Julian Mack—his then-attorney—learns of the indictments over the phone. “Room felt like it was spinning.”
His father said they needed to work immediately to put together alibi information: hadn’t even remotely thought he would be picked, so had no alibi information. Called Father Luke Travers, Delbarton headmaster, told him that he would have to be by his side when he called her to tell her. (Kathy Seligmann had been at one of his brothers’ lacrosse games.)
Could hear her at the other end of the phone—”the life was sucked right out of her.” He tried to calm her down; told her that they could prove that it didn’t happen.
Learned that Nifong wanted to come to class and arrest them; told that if it got out to the press, that Nifong would revoke privilege of Collin and him turning themselves in.
Had to tell his girlfriend; she collapsed; had to carry her to his father’s car to go to hotel and turn themselves in.
Made bond by borrowing money from friend—after indictments, his family has to leave the house because of media presence.
Remembers Osborn efforts to construct alibi—Wachovia ATM evidence; clearly relevant to Nifong’s case, “didn’t understand” Nifong’s refusal to look, felt “helpless”; wasn’t even angry, just baffled.
“Lonely, helpless feeling” when second DNA evidence came back; assumed that this would end the case.
Prior to first appearance, perception of the court system was that everyone was respectful; totally different experience with the May 18 court experience.
“When we came out of the parking garage, swarm of media came sprinting over.”
Then encountered reps of New Black Panthers—dressed in fatigues. Planned on keeping his head up, didn’t want to put head down. But could barely walk because the news media was so close in front of him, worried about stepping on them. Couldn’t even see his father; then encounters NBPP, started screaming, it appeared, from all different angles. Kept saying, “Justice will be done, rapist.”; “You’re going to get yours, rapist.” Trying to keep straight face—but was “terrified.” Had never been in a situation like that before in his life.
Once he enters courtroom, had expected things to quiet down; but people speaking obscenities to him, someone says “Dead Man Walking” to him. Nifong was standing at his table, shuffling his papers, and did nothing.
One thing he remembers from hearing is that Nifong was laughing and smirking as Kirk Osborn presented alibi evidence.
“At that point, we understood where we were headed.” Still-”I wanted to sit down and talk with him.” Confident that if he had chance to sit down and talk with Nifong, he could have persuaded Nifong.
“Couldn’t count how many times I thought charges would be dropped” in the duration of the case.
“Every time that discovery came back, it was always something favorable to us, every single time.”
Hardest point was when rape charge was dropped. “Felt like we were being toyed with, that Nifong was continuing maliciously.”
Cooney meeting with Nifong shortly after Cooney is hired—thought that Jim was a reasonable guy, confident that Cooney would be able to persuade him.
Nifong to Cooney: “Boy, I wish your client hadn’t shown his alibi story, because there’s no such thing as an airtight alibi. Sure enough,” the story was changed—tried to show how DNA and alibi wouldn’t be relevant. “Almost predictable.”
Even when Nifong recuses, fears that all prosecutors were like Nifong—people who don’t listen to alibi and just want to put people in jail.
“All we wanted was fair and just review of the facts.”
Was baffled when Cooney would call the Special Prosecutors—didn’t think that was how system was supposed to work, given Nifong’s conduct.
[This has been devastating testimony for Nifong.]
Roy Cooper—”in a single word (”innocent”), the man gave us our life back.” Probably had never been that nervous when he watches Roy Cooper—”felt like an eternity, because he talks really slow.” No one in room reacted when Cooper said that there was insufficient evidence to move forward. Room “erupted” when Cooper gave his declaration—”my whole life turned around with that word.”
Notes that he received the Delbarton Model from Delbarton—highest honor; “couldn’t be prouder to be part of their community.”
Freedman declines to cross, and the state rests.
(from the outstanding Durham-in-Wonderland live blog)
“Freedman declines to cross, and the state rests.”
Interesting isn’t it that Feedman declined to cross. That clearly tells me they have no evidence or information that anything Selligmann said on the stand was a lie or even could be twisted!!!!!
Actually, this part is probably not too off. We have a prosecutor in georgia that misled a jury and got a 17 year old put in jail for 10 years for having oral sex with a 15 year old.
A 17 years old having actual sex with a 15 year old would not have been a crime, but somehow oral sex is considered child abuse.
This prosecutor just will not let go either.
"..MALKIN: And, last May, one of your members said to Reade Seligmann, one of the Duke lacrosse players -- quote -- that he was a "dead man walking.".."
I think the person who made the comment was a member of the New Black Panther Party. I also recall hearing the voice, or one very much like it, in another incident.
ADL Condemns Racist, Anti-Semitic Tirades At Rep. Cynthia Mckinney's Concession Speech
"..During the scuffle, another member of her entourage who wore a New Black Panther Party pin shouted expletives at the media, including calling them "crackers" --a derisive term for whites – and telling them, "You got what you damn wanted. You got your Uncle Tom, now go put your cameras on him," referring to Hank Johnson, the African American candidate who defeated Ms. McKinney..."
I think it may be the same person. To me they sounded similar and both are with the New Black Panther Party.
The death threat against Seligmann was illegal and a violation of his civil rights. Charges should be made against this thug.