Rape Charges Dropped in Duke Case

Stinger · 12-22-2006, 12:02 PM

Rape Charges Dropped in Duke Case
Dec 22 12:43 PM US/Eastern

By AARON BEARD
Associated Press Writer
DURHAM, N.C.

Prosecutors dropped rape charges Friday against three Duke University lacrosse players accused of attacking a stripper at a team party, but the three still face kidnapping and sexual offense charges, a defense attorney said.

Joseph Cheshire and attorneys for the other players have said for months the woman told several different versions of the alleged assault.

Cheshire said Friday that the accuser now says she does not know if she was penetrated, which he said led District Attorney Mike Nifong to dismiss the rape charges.

Nifong did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

The accuser, a 28-year-old student at North Carolina Central University, has said three men raped her in a bathroom at a March 13 team party where she was hired to perform as a stripper.

The players _ Dave Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann _ all say they are innocent. Their attorneys have consistently said no sex occurred at the party and have cited a lack of DNA evidence in the case as proof of their clients' innocence.

"It's highly coincidental," Cheshire said, that the charges are being dropped a week after the director of a private DNA testing lab acknowledged that he initially, with Nifong's knowledge, withheld from the defense test results showing none of the players' DNA was found on or in the accuser's body.

Testing also showed that genetic material from several males was found in her undergarments and body.

StcChief · 12-22-2006, 12:03 PM

About time. this will get brushed over easy with holiday stories. Hope it ruins the Prosecutors career.

FAX · 12-22-2006, 12:04 PM

I suppose Nifong didn't like the idea of being investigated by the Justice Department.

FAX

Braincase · 12-22-2006, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

I suppose Nifong didn't like the idea of being investigated by the Justice Department.

FAX

I hope she starts getting tipped in very cold, small denomination coins.

Brock · 12-22-2006, 12:07 PM

Nifong should be executed.

BIG_DADDY · 12-22-2006, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Nifong should be executed.

Yep

Mr. Plow · 12-22-2006, 12:09 PM

F*@# Duke.

**Bwana** · 12-22-2006, 12:16 PM

FU*K Nifong.

MOhillbilly · 12-22-2006, 12:18 PM

fu+K FU+K!!!!!

bogie · 12-22-2006, 12:19 PM

Oh, what a tangled web...

pikesome · 12-22-2006, 12:21 PM

I think its safe to say this never goes to trial.

NewChief · 12-22-2006, 12:20 PM

Any chance that the players can countersue or sue the DA's office? This entire thing was a freaking mockery of our system.

pikesome · 12-22-2006, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewChief

Any chance that the players can countersue or sue the DA's office? This entire thing was a freaking mockery of our system.

I'm not a lawyer, yada yada yada, but my understanding is there's not alot the accused can do directly. If the case goes to trial and it comes out that there was more information withheld a civil rights lawsuit is possible but at this stage not enough has been done from a legal point of view to get a suit going. Not to say that the prosecutor isn't a slimebag but pre-trial the "damage" the accused could sue for is limited. This is the reason I say it never goes to trial, if it does Nifong opens himself and his jurisdiction up to lawsuits, they won't want to proceed unless they have a really strong case and with the likelihood of having the lineup and ID thrown out I don't see how they could win even if the guys are guilty.

Duck Dog · 12-22-2006, 01:11 PM

What Grand Jury would indict on her testimony now? Or for that matter what DA would pursue this any further? Kidnapping? You gotta be fu c kin g kidding me.

I hope the hooker gives Nifong aids.

jidar · 12-22-2006, 02:00 PM

but they found semen in her underwear?

12-22-2006, 12:02 PM	Topic Starter
Stinger Bazinga Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $1984507	Rape Charges Dropped in Duke Case Rape Charges Dropped in Duke Case Dec 22 12:43 PM US/Eastern By AARON BEARD Associated Press Writer DURHAM, N.C. Prosecutors dropped rape charges Friday against three Duke University lacrosse players accused of attacking a stripper at a team party, but the three still face kidnapping and sexual offense charges, a defense attorney said. Joseph Cheshire and attorneys for the other players have said for months the woman told several different versions of the alleged assault. Cheshire said Friday that the accuser now says she does not know if she was penetrated, which he said led District Attorney Mike Nifong to dismiss the rape charges. Nifong did not immediately return calls seeking comment. The accuser, a 28-year-old student at North Carolina Central University, has said three men raped her in a bathroom at a March 13 team party where she was hired to perform as a stripper. The players _ Dave Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann _ all say they are innocent. Their attorneys have consistently said no sex occurred at the party and have cited a lack of DNA evidence in the case as proof of their clients' innocence. "It's highly coincidental," Cheshire said, that the charges are being dropped a week after the director of a private DNA testing lab acknowledged that he initially, with Nifong's knowledge, withheld from the defense test results showing none of the players' DNA was found on or in the accuser's body. Testing also showed that genetic material from several males was found in her undergarments and body.
Posts: 10,320

12-22-2006, 12:03 PM	#2
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	About time. this will get brushed over easy with holiday stories. Hope it ruins the Prosecutors career. __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

12-22-2006, 12:04 PM	#3
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	I suppose Nifong didn't like the idea of being investigated by the Justice Department. FAX
Posts: 44,492

12-22-2006, 12:07 PM	#5
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	Nifong should be executed.
Posts: 47,314

12-22-2006, 12:09 PM	#7
Mr. Plow In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2005 Casino cash: $-1502609	F*@# Duke.
Posts: 31,695

12-22-2006, 12:16 PM	#8
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2135843647	FU*K Nifong. __________________ Adventure is dangerous....but monotony can kill you.
Posts: 70,494

12-22-2006, 12:18 PM	#9
MOhillbilly Mama Tried Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $9949903	fu+K FU+K!!!!! __________________ True Son of Liberty
Posts: 23,371

12-22-2006, 12:19 PM	#10
bogie West Coast Chief Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: california Casino cash: $10004900	Oh, what a tangled web... __________________
Posts: 3,562

12-22-2006, 12:21 PM	#11
pikesome PEW PEW Join Date: May 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	I think its safe to say this never goes to trial. __________________ 4. Performance enhancing drugs: A) are my ticket to the Hall of Fame. B) would be better if they tasted like fruit and were shaped like various Flintstones characters. C) are not for me, because I find that cocaine aids my performance much more effectively. D) apparently worked for Rodney Harrison.
Posts: 5,191

12-22-2006, 12:20 PM	#12
NewChief In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Fayetteville, AR Casino cash: $7160204	Any chance that the players can countersue or sue the DA's office? This entire thing was a freaking mockery of our system. __________________ In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. - H. L. Mencken
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12-22-2006, 01:11 PM	#14
Duck Dog Reap the whirlwind Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Olathe Casino cash: $10004900	What Grand Jury would indict on her testimony now? Or for that matter what DA would pursue this any further? Kidnapping? You gotta be fu c kin g kidding me. I hope the hooker gives Nifong aids.
Posts: 8,902

12-22-2006, 02:00 PM	#15
jidar MVP Join Date: May 2005 Location: a Casino cash: $10004900	but they found semen in her underwear?
Posts: 5,502