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Duke Prosecutor Stands by Rape Charges

By Jeralyn, Section Duke Lacrosse
Posted on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 01:44:00 AM EST
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Durham County prosecutor Mike Nifong faces re-election next week. The rape charges against the three former Duke lacrosse players continues to unravel. Nifong says neither he nor members of his staff have interviewed the accuser yet and Kim Roberts, the second dancer, told Good Morning America on Monday yet another version of events that evening:

... Roberts said she told the woman, "Get out of my car, get out of my car."

"I push on her leg. I kind of push on her arm," Roberts said. "And clear as a bell, it's the only thing I heard clear as a bell out of her was, she said -- she pretty much had her head down, but she said plain as day -- 'Go ahead put marks on me. That's what I want, go ahead.' ''

Roberts said the comments "chilled me to the bone, and I decided right then and there to go to the authorities."

Yet, Nifong tells the Associated Press he stands by his decision to prosecute. The only thing he's sorry about is having talked too much to the media. Then why is he talking to them again now?

Right, there's an election next week.

You can comment here, or over at the TalkLeft Duke forums.

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    Duke Prosecutor Stands by Rape Charges | 4 comments (4 topical)

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    Bizarre that Nifong has not talked to the accuser (none / 0) (#1)
    by jerry on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 12:24:09 AM EST
    Nifong says neither he nor members of his staff have interviewed the accuser yet...

    Is that unusual?  It seems as though it would be extremely unusual for a prosecutor to not talk to the accuser before pressing charges and downright just bizarre to wait this many months and never interview her.

    Jesus, it seems to me that Nifong himself should be prosecuted for violating the Duke players civil rights.

    that's kind of what i thought too (none / 0) (#2)
    by cpinva on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 01:37:53 AM EST
    that it would be first on the list of things to do, before even indicting anyone. maybe i just don't know enough about how the criminal system works.

    frankly, this whole thing kind of reeks. the only difference between this, and the peterson case, is that the "victim" is still alive. there just doesn't seem to be a whole lot of there, there.

    is anyone actually running against him?

    ok, i understand his point (none / 0) (#3)
    by cpinva on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 01:45:14 AM EST
    about not personally interviewing every victim.  given the high profile, vehement protestations of innocence, and seeming complete lack of any forensic evidence, to substantiate the accusation, it would seem in his best interest to have done so.

    again, i'm not familiar with the job, so i could just be shooting from the lip.

    This guys is crazy. (none / 0) (#4)
    by Slado on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 10:48:53 AM EST
    He is a drowning man at this point.

    Does TL think this will actually go to trial?  If it does will it only be because the media won't leave it alone long enough for him to quitely drop it?

    If you watched the 60 Minutes piece on this case the charges against at least two of the players are a complete joke.

    Anyone who's watched Law&Order could get these guys off on any numbers of innapropriate proceedures and just simple doubt.   There is so much wrong with both of the girls stories that only a complete ramrod job by the prosecurter would get these guys put in jail and obviously these guys can afford good lawyers so that really isn't possible.

    How good a civil case will these players have against the DA?  Can they sue?

    If the DA goes to trial and then looses is it a possiblity that the accuser could drag these guys through a civil trial?

    This story is sad especially considering who else this prosecurter has probably screwed over in other cases.   I hope the good people of Durham have enough sense to dump this guy.   While the black community is probably sympathetic to this girl supporting the DA probably hurts their community harder in the long run because I'm sure this guy has put people in jail that probably shouldn't be there only beause they don't have the money the Dukies do to defend themselves.  

    Granted this is wild specualation on my part but if this guy is willing to proceed when none of the facts support his zeal to get these guys how can he be trusted?

    Duke Prosecutor Stands by Rape Charges | 4 comments (4 topical)

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