ADN

Thanks for the comments and questions. Answers to a number of these queries can be found in our prior reporting. I'll direct you to some 160 stories included in our Duke lacrosse collection -- go to the home page, keyword Duke lacrosse (you also can narrow the search) to find them. Some examples:

* The police identification lineup: This story from April 30 reports on specific ways Durham police ignored their own written procedures in the lacrosse case lineup. Subsequent coverage reported defense challenges to the lineup procedure.
* DA Mike Nifong's statements: We have reported several stories, including this one, focusing on Nifong's public statements early in the case and his handling of other aspects, including his early refusal to meet with defense attorneys; we've contrasted and compared key statements with facts known at the time.

We also reported early on about the relationship between Mark Simeon, who has represented Kim Roberts, and Nifong.

Several other questions are repeats. I'll recap (see other Duke posts for original responses, some of which are more detailed):
* The "wanted" poster appeared on an inside page as part of a report on the mood on and around the Duke campus. The decision to use it wasn't discussed at the appropriate level. It's fair to second-guess it, and we have.
* The "double standard" claim: I responded yesterday to a complaint on this. Our coverage of the reported assault on a restaurant cook by off-duty Durham police officers over the weekend waffled on including the cook's statements that he had exchanged racial insults with the other men. We included that information online Saturday, but omitted it from the print edition Sunday. The information is included in greater detail in online and print stories published Monday and today.

These are judgment calls. We have a number of editors who make news decisions, and one of them made this call Saturday night in good faith based on what he knew and thought appropriate. Those who find conspiracies everywhere might see one here, but the reality is that our editors were working on getting the paper out on deadline when this decision occurred. Further reporting made clear that the racial insults claim was relevant in the assault case, just as it was in the Duke rape case, though for somewhat different reasons.
* Using the word "victim": Readers of The N&O and most print publications, and online for that matter, know that it's common practice to describe people listed as victims in criminal reports as victims. What is unusual in this case isn't that we used that term, but that we and most other media have stopped using it.

As to our interview with her, it happened the day after the DNA roundup -- I'll remind you how very little was known at that point. The reporter happened to track down the woman who had brought the rape claim and interviewed her. We published the account the next day. There's a lot of mythology floating around out there about this interview, but it was pretty straightforward reporting on a news story. The same day, we sought interviews with many other principals, including players and their lawyers, without success. We kept pushing and the story continued to unfold. We've been persistent from the start, we've stuck to our standards (as I've written previously) and we're not done.

Most of the other questions focus on facts and theories in the case. My role is newspaper editor, not criminal theorist or expert witness, so I'm not the one to answer these questions. We will add them to the mix as we continue to report on the criminal case and related issues. Keep reading.

-- Melanie

Smells like Bullshit

Imagine, if you will, Jarriel L. Johnson under cross-examination

Hat tip: The Johnsville News

Handwritten Statement of Jarriel Lanier Johnson, Raleigh, NC. The driver for Crystal Gail Mangum made - 6:37 - 7:50 p.m. April 6, 2006

[statement starts on Friday, March 10, 2006]

I was called by Crystal on March 10, 2006 to drive her to Holiday Inn Express in Wakefield.

[Saturday, March 11, 2006]

I picked her up at her parents house around 1:50 p.m. She said her appointment was at 2 p.m. We arrived at the hotel around 2:20 p.m. After I dropped her off I returned home. About 2:50 p.m. I left to pick Crystal up at the hotel. After we left the hotel we returned to her parents home. There we stayed for a couple of hours until about 7 p.m. At that time I asked her if we could go to my parents house so I could shower. With my parents being there we decided to come back to Durham. Once back in Durham we rode around for about half an hour, then we went to Forest Hill Park. We stayed there for about an hour or so. Then Crystal asked me if I would take her to Hillsborough. We got to Platinum around 11 or 12 where she went in and I remained in the car.

[Sunday, March 12, 2006]

Around 2 a.m. I go inside to find her, she asks if we can stay for about another hour. She then asks me if we can stay just one more hour. We leave at 4:30 when the club closes. She then tells me that she has a job at the Millennium Hotel. We get there at 5:15 a.m., where she goes in and I remain in the car. At about 6:15 a.m. she returns and I drive her back to her parent's home. We say good bye and I head back to Raleigh. I arrive at my parents home at 7 a.m. and go to bed. Around 2 p.m. that afternoon Crystal calls me asking if I could drive her that night. I agree and ask what time, she says around 4 p.m. As I get close to her parents house she calls me and says that Matt [Matthew Murchison, her boyfriend] is coming over to bring her something. I told her that I would wait until she called me at the the car wash on Fayetteville St. Around 5-5:30 p.m. she calls me and tells me that he's gone. About 5-10 minutes later I arrive at her parent's house. Her daughter lets me in. I sit there and play with her kids while Crystal is getting ready. Once she is ready we leave and ride around for about half an hour. We then go over to Forest Hills Park and sit and talk. Around 8 or 9 she asks if we could go to Raleigh to find this guy she met. I say okay. We drive around downtown Raleigh trying to find this guy. We have no luck so we decide to get a hotel room and wait to see if he calls. This is about 9 p.m. or so. We go to get something to at a Chinese place over on Wake Forest Rd. Once we get our food we take it back to the hotel and eat. After eating we get into bed and watch TV. While watching TV we engage in sexual intercourse.

[Monday, March 13, 2006 - Day of the Duke Lacrosse Party]

Around 12 a.m. I leave. I tell her to call me in the morning so I could pick her up. At around 11 a.m. Crystal calls me asking me to pick her up. I arrive at the hotel around 11:30 am. I call Crystal to see where she is and she tells me that she went for a walk. I drive up and down Lane St. trying to find her. She calls me back asking me to meet her at the hotel.When I arrive she is with an older gentleman that she says wants to see her perform. I go back down and wait in my car until I see the man come out. After I see him leave I go to the room and help Crystal gather her things. We then head over to my parents house and hang out for about 20 min. I told Crystal that I was going to wash my car and she suggest we go to one of the pay car washes. While there I began to wash my car while she talked on the phone. I then told her that I was taking her home. On the way to I-540 she told me she needed to use the bathroom and wanted me to pull over. Once I did she got out of the car and started walking down Creedmoor Rd. I pulled my car over and got out to chase her down. She told me to leave her alone. I went back to my car and pulled up in front of her. Once again I pulled over and asked her to get in. She again told me to leave her alone. I went up several yards and waited until she came towards me; again I asked her to get in the car. She then got in. We went back to my parents house where we talked it out. We sat on the couch for a little while and then went to my bedroom. While there we talked and she knocked over her drink which spilled on my phone. After that it was around 4-4:30 p.m. and I took Crystal back to her parent's house. Later on that night I noticed that my phone wasn't working properly. I called Crystal and told her that it was mess up. At that time she told me that she had a bachelor party to work that night, and asked if I could drive. I agreed. Later on that night I couldn't get my phone to work and called her to let her know that it's not working and wouldn't be able to take her. She said that was okay and that Brian would take her. I told her to call me when she got home and she said okay. About 1 a.m. or 1:30 a.m. I received a call from Tammy asking if I was Crystal's driver that night. I told her no and she hung up. I tried calling Crystal for the next couple of days and didn't hear from her until Thursday. Looking at my datebook on my cell phone I realized that the dates that I engaged in sexual intercourse with Crystal was off by a week. Our last encounter together was the Sunday prior.

The following is a work of opinion, constitutionally protected free speech, parody, and fiction, and is not to be taken seriously by anyone, including the paranoid. Any similarity to real scumbag district attorneys being sucked off by convicted felons as restitution for a $25,000.00 embezzlement is purely coincidental.

[SCENE OPEN]

[Offstage, shouted impatiently] Send Michaels in!

[Enter, CASH, tentatively, dressed in green crushed-suede leisure suit. He holds a fedora nervously in both hands at the waist. As he closes the door behind him, it catches the peacock feather extending from the hat's band, which snaps back wickedly and jabs CASH in the eye. Seated behind his desk, SIMON swivels his big burgundy leather CEO chair around and sees CASH wiping his now chronically tearing eye with a chartreuse silk hankie]

[CASH] Th, th, thank you for agreeing to see me, Mr. Fuller.

[SIMON, leaning back, hands folded at his chest, puffing a newly fired Monte Cristo] Shut up. Sit down. Impress me.

[CASH, sitting down as if whipped and placing the fedora on the desk before him] Impress you. Right. Well, sir, I have an act. A...an awful act. A wonderful, AWFUL act! Mr. Fuller, this act is bigger than the Spice Girls! If I may be so bold, sir, I daresay this act can be bigger, even, than 'Idol!'

[SIMON leans in, inquisitively, as he and CASH do the Judge Smails/Danny Noonan "desk lamp distraction" caused by the metronomic peacock feather. SIMON furrows his brow and glares; CASH timidly places the hat on the floor at his side.]

[SIMON, slowly twirling his stogie greedily between thumb and first finger] That's quite a fantastic claim. Bigger than 'Idol,' eh? Tell me about it.

[CASH] Well, sir, it's a family act. But not just any family. Not a nuclear family, certainly, in the biological sense of the word, although some if its members are clearly inbred. No, this is a family woven by divine circumstance...a cast of characters so entertaining and absurd that we could keep America, nay, sir, the WOOOOORLD, tuning in for YEARS!

[SIMON]Blah, blah, blah. What do they do, this..."family?"

[CASH] Mr. Fuller, sir, they are, individually and collectively, the very embodiment...THE performance art portrayal of American southern redneck trash and corruption. Think "Evil Jeff Foxworthy," times eleven.

[SIMON, waving a single hand dismissively] I dont' like it. Sounds...pathetic.

[CASH] Oh, it IS, sir. It is quite pathetic. THEY are more pathetic than the word "pathetic" defines. [Leaning in as if to convey the secret of Daley Plaza, whispering] But...funny as hell.

[SIMON, rising with irritation] Frankly, sir, I fail to see the humor in...

[CASH] Mr. Fuller, please! Before you send me away, please, just have a look at them! I've brought them here with me today. They're right in the lobby.

[CASH rises, crosses the office, opens the door and points to someone offstage. SIMON bristles as CASH frantically waves the Unseen in]

[Enter MIKE NIFONG, in full Napoleanic commodore's uniform, right hand tucked firmly between two shiny brass buttons at its breast]

[CASH]The 'patriarch,' if you will, MIKE NIFONG, is a megalomaniacal, if incompetent, jerkwater D.A. In his small-penised lust for fame, he lords over a cast of derelicts, perverts, racists, whores, drug users, embezzlers, bad cops and complicit judges in an attempt to frame three lily-white Yankee lacrosse players...how funny is THAT???...YANKEE...LACROSSE players...for a rape that never happened!

[SIMON] That's despicable! [Leaning in, Groucho-style] Who'd they rape?

[CASH] That's the hook! They didn't raaaape anyone! Come in here, PRECIOUS! You too, NIKKI.

[Enter CRYSTAL GAIL MANGUM, a/k/a "PRECIOUS," wearing a see-through red outfit, with no undergarments and one white high-heel shoe. Behind her trails KIM PITTMAN a/k/a KIM ROBERTS a/k/a "NIKKI," in conservative secretarial garb, "flipping the bird" to no one in particular as she sashays in]

[CASH, taking PRECIOUS by the shoulders and presenting her to SIMON] This is "PRECIOUS," the accuser.

[PRECIOUS, grabbing her lower back and popping open a 24 ounce malt beverage] I needs my Flexeril!

[CASH] PRECIOUS is a, um, dancer, um, exotic entertainer, um...oh, hell, PRECIOUS is a whore.

[MIKE] A whore, may I remind you, who was savagely and viciously choked from behind [acting out the manner in which the choke was performed] and raped by four men...

[PRECIOUS, hiccupping] I thought it was three men?

[MIKE]...THREE men, orally, vaginally, and anally, for nearly 30 minutes in the bathroom of a Duke University "Animal House."

[NIKKI] That's a crock!

[MIKE] What did you say?

[NIKKI] Oops! Sorry, Mr. NIFONG! [Staring at CASH'S crotch] I said, "That's a cock!"

[Enter the SANE NURSE (IN TRAINING), tapping MIKE feverishly on the back of the shoulder. MIKE wheels around aggressively]

[MIKE] Yoooooou? Get OUT of here!

[Exit SANE NURSE (IN TRAINING)]

[SIMON] Who's she?

[CASH and MIKE] NOBODY!

[CASH, eyeing the hint of a grin on SIMON'S face as SIMON stares at PRECIOUS, now using a small (sexual device) on herself as she crouches, catcher-style, in the corner] Huh? What'd I tell ya? Let me introduce you to some other members of our "family." [Bowing, folding one arm across his waist and sweeping the other towards the door in a grandiose introductory gesture] This is Assistant District Attorney, C. DESTINE COUCH.

[Enter C. DESTINE COUCH, dressed in a hot pink Speedo thong. To PRECIOUS] Heeeey! I know you! How's it goin', Momma? Come and git some!

[CASH] C. DESTINE is a second-generation attorney with a...um...unique perspective on law and respect for others. He graduated from the same high school with PRECIOUS, attended NCCU at times PRECIOUS was also enrolled there, and his mother, FINESSE, who happens to be the president of the Durham County Bar Association, used attorney WILLIE GARY to sue Duke in negligence for the wrongful death of another child.

[SIMON] That's terrible!

[CASH] Tell me about it. GARY is now contemplating the bringing of a civil cause of action, presumably against Duke, on behalf of PRECIOUS.

[SIMON] How were they put in contact with one another?

[CASH, snickering] Wouldn't you like to know?

[SIMON] Well, actually, I wou...

[CASH] Never mind that, SIMEY. Mind if I call ya SIMEY? Y'see, BIG C here, c'mere BIG C, BIG C, as we like to call him, paid no mind to the paradoxical juxtaposition between his role in MIKEY'S office and the maintenance of a salacious web page, using his own name, seeking MILFS, pajamas-optional parties, inter-racial relationships, and women who must be "hot only," "open-minded-behind-closed-doors" and between "18 to 39" years old. He also loves mentoring children.

[SIMON, laughing out loud for the first time] Wait! Wait! Arnold here works for the despotic little creep in the corner? Smirky over there? The one trumping up this "rape" charade?

[CASH] Exactamently, SIMEY. Now, BIG C is also available for underwear and lingerie shows, which leads whitey to conclude that he must be familiar with the seedy underbelly of Durham's thriving stripper trade and, thus...[wheeling around and pointing directly at PRECIOUS and NIKKI, now entwined in a hot, lesbian "69"]

[Enter FINESSE, clutching a fan and wiping her sweaty brow with the back of her hand] But I never wanted him to get in any trouble! Why'd he ever have to leave me, Worm, Your Honor, let me take him home!

[C. DESTINE COUCH] Mother will they try to break my balls?

[Enter black-robed JUDGES STEPHENS and TITUS] Madam, the evidence before the Court is incontrovertible.* [Slamming gavels on SIMON'S desk] Your son is a moron. [Jointly Exit]

[SIMON] Who were they?

[MIKE] Only the two hardest working men, well, after me, of course, only the two hardest working men in show busin...er...legal stuff.

[Enter JAKKI, wearing a crocheted neon blue mini-skirt, black fishnets, size 16 fuck-me pumps and a purple boa]

[CASH, putting his arm around SIMON'S shoulder as would a dear friend] SIMEY, ol' pal, you are gonna LOVE this!

[JAKKI] Where da [clearing throat in a basso grunt before continuing in falsetto] Where da TV dude at?

[CASH] Right here [physically turning SIMON to face JAKKI]

[JAKKI, "drawing" a finger pistol from her waist] Welcome to Durham, Motha Fucka! Duck!

[SIMON recoils in horror]

[JAKKI] I'se jus' kiddin'. I'se jus' kiddin'. [Closing the gap between them, placing one shoe fully between and behind SIMON'S own feet, rubbing "her" crotch atop his outer thigh] Now, how's about we talk about my television career? Did you know that I am the official family spokesma...er...person for Crysta...er...PRECIOUS? Thaaaaat's riiiight! When she was abused like so much trash by those bad Yankees, she just couldn't talk to anybody but the News & Observer, The Echo and Mr. Gary, of course. And her daddy called me up and do you know what he said? He said, 'Jakki, we've thought about this long and hard. We've discussed it at length and we can't think of another person who might better represent your cousin and this family.' Uh-huh. That's exactly what he said. Y'know, because I'm so comfortable in front of audiences, and all.

[SIMON, over his shoulder, to CASH, mouthing] Help...me!

[CASH] JAKKI, Sweetums, why don't you go over there and see if BIG C wants to link your performance schedule to his myspace page.

[JAKKI] CASH, you so funny, a'ight? You know C ain't got no more myspace page. But, Mr. Fuller, if you want to, you know...pow-wow...'bout those TV prospects, you can holla me at my myspace page, a'ight?

[CASH] JAKKI? Go. Now. Before I have to call...

[Enter Investigators GOTTLIEB and CLAYTON, in handcuffs, escorted by two officers of the Raleigh PD]

[CASH] Why, hello, BOYS. I was just talking about you. SIMEY, this is MARK GOTTLIEB. Until a few days ago, he was the lead investigator of the Duke "rape" hoa...case. And this is DICK CLAYTON, his dutiful minion.

[SIMON] Until a few days ago?

[CASH] That's right. Y'see, these good ol' BOYS [slapping each across the face with a resounding crack] couldn't just weave it tight...

[MIKE, being fellated by NIKKI] NO. Apparently, that was just too much to ask.

[CASH]...and, um, help PRECIOUS "remember" her attackers...

[GOTTLIEB] Not for lack of tryin', CASH! Shit, we tried to "help" that dumb...er... tragic victim, what, DICK?, four or five...

[CLAYTON] Wasn't it six?

[GOTTLIEB]...or six times!

[CASH]...Nooooooooooooooooo, they had to go out of jurisdiction with a bunch of their blue line brothas and call a hard-working short-order cook a "nigger" while kicking him in the head with a shoe!

[GOTTLEIB & CLAYTON] That was NOT us!

[Enter TITUS & STEPHENS] If it Puh-leeeeeeeese the court! [turning towards one another, exchanging high-fives] NOT!

[CASH] GOTTLIEB, now him we can kinda understand, what with the over-compensation, and all.

[SIMON] Over-compensation?

[CASH] Well, it's gotta be hard being cursed with a....Semite's...surname if'n you happen to work in law enforcement in Durham, North Carolina. We're sure he was just trying to fit in. Now, DICK, on the other hand...

[SIMON, erupting in riotous laughter] Wait! Wait! This has got to be the funniest thing I've ever heard. Who's representing the lacrosse players?

[BIG C] Bob Bennett. He's got great muscle tone. For an older guy.

[SIMON, hyperventilating, barely able to speak between guffaws] Bob...BEN-nett! Oh, stop it! You're killing me. This maroon [pointing at NIFONG] is going to try three Duke student-athletes on a rape charge? And THIS is the complaining witness?? [pointing at PRECIOUS, being roused by an ammonia capsule held by one of the Raleigh police officers] And THIS [sweeping both arms across the tableau] is the supporting cast of characters he thinks he's going to do it with?

[NIKKI, pulling off for a moment to inquire] Only 2,400 to go, right Mr. NIFONG?

[MIKE, gently guiding NIKKI back to her task] 2,400 to me, young lady. But I believe you still owe Judges STEPHENS and TITUS restitution in full, now, don't you, missy?

[NIKKI groans affirmatively, if dissapointedly; TITUS & STEPHENS again exchange high-fives]

[SIMON] Mr. CASH, You are an absolute genius! America, nay, the woooorld, sir, will tune in to this for years! Not only is it hilarious to think that charges like these could survive grand jury scrutiny...

[BIG C] Don't go there, Homey!

[SIMON]...but to actually take THIS to trial? Fabulous! And! They'll stay tuned to the end, as I presume there's always the possibility of the accused actually being convicted in Durham, North Carolina, isn't there?

[CASH, MIKE, PRECIOUS, FINESSE, BIG C, NIKKI, GOTTLIEB, CLAYTON, TITUS and STEPHENS, snapping fingers in unison] SNAP!

[SIMON] PERFECT! Now, I must say, THIS is must-see entertainment! What an act! What an awful act! What a WONDERFUL, AWFUL act!! Good GOD, man! What the hell do you call this "family?"

[ALL] The Aristocrats!

[Enter BISSEY, JOHNSON, MURCHISON, TAYLOR, TAMMY ROSE, SGT. SHELTON, BENJAMIN HIMAN, LINWOOD WILSON, MALIK ZULU SHABAZZ, THE VOYEUR COUPLE, THE OLDER GENTLEMAN, JESSE JACKSON, BOB ASHLEY, ANDREW COHEN, THIS GUY SHE MET, STEPHEN A. SMITH, THE NEW BLACK PANTHER PARTY, VICTORIA PETERSON, THE RIGHT REVERAND AL SHARPTON, MELANIE SILL, RUTH SHEEHAN and RYAN MCFADYEN, arms linked behind shoulders in a perfect "Rockettes" Chorus line, singing boisterously, as confetti cannons rain a colorful melange down upon the assemblage] Always look on the bright side of life !(Doo Doo DOO DOO doo doo duh doo duh DOO) Always look on the bright side of life !(Doo Doo DOO DOO doo doo duh doo duh DOO) Always look on the bright side of life !(Doo Doo DOO DOO doo doo duh doo duh DOO) Always look on the bright side of life !(Doo Doo DOO DOO doo doo duh doo duh DOO) Always look on the bright side of life !(Doo Doo DOO DOO doo doo duh doo duh DOO)...

[FADE TO BLACK]

[SCENE CLOSE]

07/27/06 at 13:25
Dear Editor:
No one, especially media, should be "played" like a violin either way, whether towards the prosecution or the defense. Please remember why we have a case.

****Yes, we remember. It was election time, Freda was on the move and Mr. Nifong needed a platform issue. Otherewise why the rush? Why all the prime time chats and jaunty choke holds? Usually, the D.A. investigates FIRST, indicts SECOND, and speaks in COURT.

1.It is the prosecutor†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬

…¾‚¢s job to take complaints forward, based on the word of the witness. In some car thefts, for example, police investigate on the word of the owner, only to find out later that it was bogus (for insurance). But it takes time.

***See above. You make my case.

2.The boys relayed incorrectly or failed to state who was at the party, or not. If you stand together like this, there are dangers down the road even if you did nothing, such as lawyer†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢s fees. So buck the group and say up front, "I wasn†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢t there," or what you need to say, and get out of the mess.

****Do you go to many large parties? If you can come home and accurately account for everyone's else's movements EVERY hour of the night, I congratulate you for remaining on anyone's guest list.

3.All agree there is a time gap. The boys say the two women were in the bathroom alone. The prosecution might state it was one woman, and one or other of the boys in adjacent times, in there instead.

****This party was not held in the penthouse of Trump Towers. Please check the square footage of this palatial abode. And, excuse me, the ACCUSER says three men in the bathroom. That's the charge. (Except for when says says 5 men ...or 20 and Kimmy)

4. Police reports are not evidence and often contain inaccuracies.

****Some consistancy is helpful though. And inaccuracies call for a through investigation, not one on a political timetable.And just perhaps, even (startling thought) listening to the accused side of the story!

5. Time is recorded differently. For an example, the accuser†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢s phone says 12:26 for her call, while the photo of her on the porch, with phone in hand, says 12:30.

****uh?

6. Time is felt differently. The accuser could mean "30 minutes" from the time of the incident until she was unceremoniously dumped in the car. As part of this, she may have perceived that Kim was aiding, because Kim was helping get the woman out of there.

****"Time is felt differently." Number of assailents "felt" differently? Description of assault "felt differently" I'm not feeling your stretch here, Maryland. The truth doesn't require so much work to be believable. But I will agree time is sure felt differently in Durham courtrooms these days. Since, converting from a "crock" to a "could be" ..Kim has found time is on her side.

7. A bruise may look red the first day, fine the next and then purple later. If you are dark-skinned, the bruises may not show up. The woman went to a second hospital and we don†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢t know what that report says. If the first report was so accurate, why did it not, according to the defense, mention the cuts and abrasions the boys say were there on the prior?

**** You're looking for bruises..I'm looking for that darn mustache. And any medical evidence of more than an evening of "good vibrations." But, true, in this case, all you need is to start delving into MySpace accounts, and yes, like bruises, anything or anyone ..might show up.

8. Rarely does anyone see a rape. It does not matter how many other team members (who certainly were not focused on the bathroom) say "I did not see anything."

A four person gang rape in a miniscule bathroom taking 30 minutes? All that beer drinking and no one had to tinkle? Rarely does one "see "an indictment on evidence as thin as this.

9. Any filler photo in the line-up would have stood out, being shot differently. The first line-ups were probably team photos and everyone agrees those made the team look all alike. The police then took originals, including at least 10 or more men (remember, no one would admit who was there) who were NOT there. (The team was not glued at the hip for every party!) These are sufficient fillers.

**** Gotcha! This line-up was an egegious violation of North Carolina guidelines. That you should try to justify it, speaks to your own bias. It is an outrage! Yet it STILL took the accuser 4-5 line-ups to make her happy choices. Read the court document. She also identified a fourth person ...but oops..they let that comment go. Why was her memory clearer weeks later, than immediately afterward? You like these line-ups, Maryland? You'd like it for your son, for you? Wow, what a cavalier recklessness...offsets your compulsion for detail at parties.


10. The police picked up a Swiffer sheet. A neighbor noticed some cleaning up of trash. A stray hair. These are examples of things we don†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢t know about fully. Investigations, witness lists, testing, these take a long time, but on the Web and TV, we want clear, immediate answers.


*** Well, you can hope, Maryland, that the Swiffer swings things your way. I have said before the Pope may have been behind the shower curtain for all we know. Yet:

We know that the accuser made a telephone call at 12:26 a.m. the morning/night of the fake rape.

We know, based on a report from the N&O, that no police were sent to the Duke address (or anywhere else) because of accusers' telehone call.

We know that Reade has a photo from an ATM at 12:24 a.m. showing him approaching the machine.

We know that Reade has Affidavits from the Cabbie, Wellington & Bissey to support his time-line.

We know that Reade has ATM receipts.

We know that Reade has dorm swipe records.

We know that Reade has an extensive cell phone log showing nearly continuous cell phone usage.

We know that Precious did not identify Reade in any previous lineups.

We know that Reade has never been convicted of a crime.

HOW IS THE CONTINUATION OF THE CASE AGAINST READE SELIGMANN BY NIFONG NOT A PRIMA FACIE VIOLATION OF THE CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT? ANSWER: IT IS

11. Yes, you can change the discourse by selective release of information or name-calling. We need to realize that a defense lawyer†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢s job is to present things in a way that is advantageous to his client. On the other hand, for the person bringing the complaint, the prosecutor is actually NOT his or her advocate.

****This prosecutor, in his rush to indict, did not seem to be an advocate for justice either. He was not selective in his words or demeanor. He has an obligation to not pollute the jury pool. Don't you have cable in Maryland?

12. As shown by the bar incident, police have the same prejudices as the rest of us. No matter how often we proclaim a lack of prejudice, prejudice is like air you breathe. If you benefit from it (yes, at the core of your life), you don†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢t often have the ability to analyze it objectively. A cursory judgement, often emotional, by any of us is often the most biased.

***We sure see your bias.. An astute comment from a poster TKG on Court tv. "
The blurring of the lines between the DPD and the DA's office should concern every citizen of Durham regardless of color or socio-economic standing. An important check and balance on the power of the state is, potentially, jeopardized in this situation and no one appears to have the moral courage to call them on it. We have the imperial DA deciding if laws are enforced and to whom accepted legal societal standards of conduct are applied.


Any Durham citizen who thinks he/she is immune to the ills of the environment created by Mike Nifong ( and his henchmen in the DPD and on the bench) is either naive or suffers from synapses that don't fire regularly."



Lastly, folks have vehement beliefs on both sides, but it NOT OK to threaten violence, even in jest. I see this repeatedly. †™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬¢‚¬¹¦¢‚¬Å“Debate" should be a required class in high school.
As humans, why do we have this tally in our heads: If the other guy says something or does something we perceive as ugly, we feel "excused" to respond in kind. As "debaters," we can always choose to take a higher ground.

****If you want to debate, fine. Leave your premise for the screen play at home. The only violence to date has been at Blinco's and yes, a shout of "You're a dead man walking" that was tolerated in a Durham courtroom. I don't fear violent debators, Maryland...my nightmares for these boys are very different.

An article in today†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢s Durham Herald Sun reminded me of a very important aspect of the Duke lacrosse case that media in Durham and Raleigh are ignoring.

First, the H-S article which begins:

The Duke lacrosse rape case likely will get an "exceptional" designation from the state Supreme Court that would be the first of its kind for a criminal issue in Durham, officials said Friday.

The designation, which must be approved by the chief justice of the state's highest court, could speed the case by providing one judge to handle every detail from now until the end of a trial.

With only one judge making all the decisions, consistency and efficiency would be vastly improved, officials predict.

"I think it's a great idea," lawyer Bill Cotter said Friday.

Cotter represents Collin Finnerty, one of three Duke lacrosse players indicted on charges of raping an exotic dancer in March at an off-campus party.
A defense lawyer wanting a speedy trial. To paraphrase President Reagen: †™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬¢‚¬¦¢¢¬…œThe

re they go again.†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬?

From the time Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann were indicted defense lawyers have been asking for a speedy trial while Durham DA Mike Nifong seems very contents to let time go by. He†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢s never joined defense attorneys in their requests to speed up the trial.

Our local media - the Durham H-S, Raleigh N&O, WRAL †™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢‚¬Å¡‚¬¦¢

‚¬Å“ TV, and News14 - to name a few, haven†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢t done very much that I†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢ve noticed to point out how unusual it is for defense attorneys to be demanding a speedy trial while the DA is content to smile during procedural hearing, make disparaging remarks about the defense, and wait, wait, wait for a trial date.

Usually DAs want a trial ASAP, especially if the case will depend heavily on eyewitness testimony.

DAs usually want to go as quickly as possible from indictment, when they†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬¢‚¬¹¦¢‚¬Å“re supposed to present to the grand jury the reasons why they should take the case to trial, to the trial itself.

Trial delay only gives time for witnesses to become forgetful or, if they†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢re not forgetful, there†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢s the matter of a jurors listening and saying to themselves, †™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬¢‚¬¦¢¢¬…œThe

witness is so sure after all this time. But I wonder. Coaching? Rehearsal?†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬?

Delay also gives the defense to find supporting witnesses, find new exculpatory evidence, etc.

Nifong†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢s willingness to accept delay and the defenses†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…

¾‚¢ eagerness to go to trial are big stories that should be examined and reported extensively.

After †™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬¢‚¬¦¢¢¬…œbre

aking†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬? the Duke lacrosse case on Mar. 24 with a story that repeatedly told readers the accuser was the †™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬¢‚¬¦¢¢¬…œvic

tim,†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬? the N&O followed that with more biased and inflammatory stories which effectively framed the Duke students in the public's mind as brutal victimizers of a †™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬¢‚¬¦¢¢¬…œsof

t-spoken†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬? young mother and college student. The N&O even went so far as to publish the infamous †™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬¢‚¬¦¢¢¬…œvig

ilante poster.†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬?

But now most fair-minded people realize what the N&O was selling them was a hoax that the N&O and DA Mike Nifong, enabled by an acquiescent Duke administration and faculty, fanned into hysteria and a witch hunt.

In that environment of false accusations, Duke acquiescence, hysteria and witch hunting a legal frame-up †™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢‚¬Å¡‚¬¦¢

‚¬Å“ the indictments of Reade Seligmann, Collin Finnerty and David Evans †™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢‚¬Å¡‚¬¦¢

‚¬Å“ became possible.

The Raleigh News & Observer, which only a few months ago was still crowing about its coverage, now doesn†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢t say much about the hoax. In fact, it still doesn't call it a hoax.

For weeks N&O readers have been providing the N&O†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢s exec editor for news, Melanie Sill, with information, tips and story ideas, some pointing to a possible connection between protection of prostitution in Durham and the many odd twists and dodges the police/DA investigation has taken.

Sill†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢s mostly ignored them. She hasn†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢t said anything at the Editor†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢s Blog for over three weeks except for one brief comment pointing out a reader error about a story†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢s location in the N&O.

All of that led a very talented JinC Regular, Joan Foster, to lampoon Sill and the N&O. As you read Joan†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾

‚¢s lyrics hum a little of the old Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra favorite †™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬¢‚¬¦¢¢¬…œDon

†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬‚¢¢¢¬…¾‚

¢t Get Around Much Anymore†™‚¢‚¢¢¢¬…¡‚¬?

A Reporter's Lament

Back in early Spring
Man, my cell phone would ring!
Melanie on the line...
Dig up all you can find!
Now I'm lonely and bored
Don't get around much anymore...

Found interviews in the Hood
And quotes the kids were no good.
Ran the poster, ..remember then...
That "Swagger" headline was a gem
Now I sit here ignored.
Don't get around much anymore.

Wanted to hit City Hall
Give Pat Baker a call
One story! He said it!
But Mel says "Forget it."
What AM I here for...?
Don't get around much anymore.

Thought I'd drive round the State
Talk to other D.A.'s
"Should the line-ups be tossed?
(They were ONLY Lacrosse)
"Are you kidding?" "What for?'
Don't get around much anymore

Our blogs are loaded with questions
Leads and suggestions
Could win a Pulitzer Prize
But Mel says "No dice."
Might shake Durham to the core?
Don't get around much anymore.

See here's the real scoop
I can go after Duke
Take down out-of -town laddies
That have rich out- of -town daddies
Their misdeeds we adore
And ....go after full bore

It fit our certain world-view
Now we're in quite a stew
So we've "shut down" on this case
I spend days at MySpace
God, the truth is a bore!
Don't get around much anymore

It's pretty much simple that she's a leech and nothing else to say worthwhile.

Squaring the Semi-Circle

Duke and Deceit: Brodhead¢¢¬¢ž¢s Folly

Duke lacrosse: Brodhead exposed

What Duke's President Should Have Said

To kill the Duke lacrosse mockingbirds

Seligmann Speaks Out

The N&O's false report on Coleman

Questions and Answers

It's time for justice: drop the charges vs. Duke lacrosse players

The Danger of Screaming Race in Rape

Duke Rape Case: Skanks, Greed, and Shattered Lives

Ten questions the N&O won¢¢¬¢ž¢t answer

Alleged Duke Rape Victim's Kin Calls '60 Minutes' Segment 'Intimidation'

This is still going on?