ABC: Duke Case to be Dropped. (Wizbang)

I called the case officially dead 3 months ago. -- 48 hours later Nifong weasled out and it was downhill from there.

Now ABC says it's a done deal.

Duke Lacrosse Case Charges to Be Dropped
April 10, 2007 -- The office of North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper will announce that he is dismissing all charges against three Duke Lacrosse players, ABC News has learned from sources close to the case.

The three players, Reade Seligmann, David Evans and Collin Finnerty, were facing charges of first degree kidnapping and first degree forcible sexual offense. The charges stem from an off-campus party on the night of March 13, 2006.

In the hours after the party, one of two dancers hired to perform for the players claimed she had been violently raped in a bathroom by members of the lacrosse team. The players had also been indicted for first degree rape, but that charge was dismissed on Dec. 22, 2006.

Special prosecutors from the Attorney General's office took over the case after Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong recused himself in January, citing charges of unethical conduct filed against him by the North Carolina Bar. Since then, Jim Coman and Mary Winstead have examined the case from scratch, interviewing key witnesses and working through reams of evidence.

The reasons that will be cited for the dismissal are not yet known...

Of course the reasons are known. She lied about it and the weasel Nifong used the case for political gain. Now if Nifong is disbarred and removed from office, justice really will be served.

Comments (39)

Nifong needs to be fired an... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by BillyBob | April 11, 2007 12:14 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

BillyBob:

Nifong needs to be fired and then sued into oblivion.

Posted on April 11, 2007 00:14

Let the billion dollar laws... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by Scrapiron | April 11, 2007 12:15 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Scrapiron:

Let the billion dollar lawsuits begin. I hate lawsuits as much as anything in the world but in this case they are justified. It would be hard to take a baseball bat to all of the idiots involved. First on the list should be the racist new black panthers. Can I serve on the jury? Ten minutes including a coffee break.

Posted on April 11, 2007 00:15

Can you imagine how the nat... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by JJ | April 11, 2007 1:04 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

JJ:

Can you imagine how the national liberal media would have reacted to the dismissal of those charges if the three accused were black and the accuser had been white???

Oh, man, they'd be holding candlelight vigils as we speak, and the headlines would be in bright neon on every channel.

Anyways, I'd like to think the young space cadets who reflexively sided against those lacrosse players will learn an important lesson from this, but I doubt it.

As for Nifong, he's a parody of a political hack Democrat.

Posted on April 11, 2007 01:04

O Where or Where is justice... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by epador | April 11, 2007 1:11 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

epador:

O Where or Where is justice58? Oh Where oh Where can she be? With her tail between her legs and her head drooping down, oh where oh where can she be e ee eee?

Posted on April 11, 2007 01:11

Here's the question of the ... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by metprof | April 11, 2007 1:17 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

metprof:

Here's the question of the day.....Will Jesse Jackson and the Duke professoriat go on Al Sharpton's show and ask for forgiveness for being racists???

Naw, didn't think so.

And people like Al Roker are screaming about Imus. While making sexist and racist comments at least he didn't use race in an attempt to destroy someone else (and elevate himself). Come to think of it, Uncle Al's radio show would be the appropriate venue as he's quite experienced in this himself, what with Tawana Brawley and all.

Posted on April 11, 2007 01:17

Umm, yeah, she was just kid... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by justice59 | April 11, 2007 1:19 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

justice59:

Umm, yeah, she was just kidding. Good one, eh?

Posted on April 11, 2007 01:19

Let no one forget that ther... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by Scrapiron | April 11, 2007 1:27 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Let no one forget that there is a truck load of idiot professors that should be fired within minutes of the charges being dropped. The people of N.C. should demand that to allow some respect to seep back onto the Duke campus. Enough sleeze has already seeped in and is stinking up the place.

Posted on April 11, 2007 01:27

It was ridiculous that it t... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by Lorie Byrd | April 11, 2007 1:37 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Lorie Byrd:

It was ridiculous that it took this long to drop the case. The accuser told about a dozen different stories, Nifong bungled it badly and the DNA didn't match any of the accused. Really, why on earth did it take months to decide this was not a prosecutable case? Race, politics and national media attention -- a guaranteed recipe for disaster.

Posted on April 11, 2007 01:37

When I thin... (Below threshold)

9. Posted by Jo | April 11, 2007 2:15 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Jo:

When I think of all those liberal, race baiting, social agenda seeking professors who signed that petition, I LAUGH.

When I think of all the idiotic women's studies "let's blame men - especially white men" feminists marching and clanging their symbols outside the house of the supposed "rape" carrying their signs about how it's time to confess, I LAUGH.

God I love to laugh at liberals who are caught being dead wrong AGAIN.

Sweeeeeet.

Posted on April 11, 2007 02:15

Never mind.... (Below threshold)

10. Posted by Duke Leftwing Professors | April 11, 2007 2:21 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Duke Leftwing Professors:

Never mind.

Posted on April 11, 2007 02:21

11. Posted by Black Panthers | April 11, 2007 2:21 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Black Panthers:

12. Posted by Mainstream Media | April 11, 2007 2:22 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Mainstream Media:

Posted on April 11, 2007 02:22

I misspoke! This was the n... (Below threshold)

13. Posted by Don Imus | April 11, 2007 2:24 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Don Imus:

I misspoke! This was the nappy headed 'ho I was referring to!

Posted on April 11, 2007 02:24

Sorry I called the victim a... (Below threshold)

14. Posted by Rush Limbaugh | April 11, 2007 2:25 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

Rush Limbaugh:

Sorry I called the victim a 'ho.

Oh wait. I turned out to be right.

Again.

Posted on April 11, 2007 02:25

Race, politics and national... (Below threshold)

15. Posted by Worth Saying Twice | April 11, 2007 2:33 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Worth Saying Twice:

Race, politics and national media attention -- a guaranteed recipe for disaster.

Posted on April 11, 2007 02:33

"Now if Nifong is disbarred... (Below threshold)

16. Posted by Francis W. Porretto | April 11, 2007 5:39 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Francis W. Porretto:

"Now if Nifong is disbarred and removed from office, justice really will be served."

Not quite. What about the very considerable sums -- estimates are in the millions of dollars -- these students' families laid out in their defense? And what about the multitude of smears on their reputations they've endured, some of which might follow them to the grave?

A false accusation of this kind should visit the legal penalty the accused might have endured upon the accuser and all his confederates. Even that wouldn't be perfect justice, but it would be a good start toward it.

Posted on April 11, 2007 05:39

Amen, Francis. The abuse o... (Below threshold)

17. Posted by Dan Collins | April 11, 2007 7:47 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Dan Collins:

Amen, Francis. The abuse of public trust brings to mind Dante's Geryon.

Posted on April 11, 2007 07:47

I had heard the Lacross pla... (Below threshold)

18. Posted by WildWillie | April 11, 2007 8:04 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

WildWillie:

I had heard the Lacross players are going to sue Nifong, the county, Duke and some professors. I am against most law suits but this one is deserved. ww

Posted on April 11, 2007 08:04

Oh yeah! And Paul, Off topi... (Below threshold)

19. Posted by WildWillie | April 11, 2007 8:06 AM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)

Oh yeah! And Paul, Off topic. I am changing my vote from Melinda to the 17 year old girl. She is impressing me. ww

Posted on April 11, 2007 08:06

You could rell right away t... (Below threshold)

20. Posted by J.R. | April 11, 2007 8:24 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

J.R.:

You could rell right away that something stunk about these charges. At least the Duke 3 can try and start to reassemble their lives. Their day in court is still coming and Nifong, Duke, and NC better start saving.

And I wonder if any of those who believed the accuser will show up in the comments today and admit they were wrong. I highly doubt it.

I also wonder if the accuser will get slapped with a perjury or a false accusation charge.

Posted on April 11, 2007 08:24

Oh so some white guys were ... (Below threshold)

21. Posted by _Mike_ | April 11, 2007 8:35 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

_Mike_:

Oh so some white guys were falsely accused, had their lives ripped apart, are probably sullied for life, and the probably pursued the case knowing there the accused crime never occurred, so who cares ? Didn't you hear Don Imus said some nasty things ? That's certainly more important!

Posted on April 11, 2007 08:35

Incidentally, I came across... (Below threshold)

22. Posted by J.R. | April 11, 2007 9:04 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Incidentally, I came across an administrator by the name of justice58 over at a Duke Rape Case Discussion Board. Just in case anyone feels compelled to inquire if that is the same person who posted here.

Posted on April 11, 2007 09:04

ww(re: your Americ... (Below threshold)

23. Posted by Paul | April 11, 2007 9:36 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Paul:

(re: your American Idol comment)

If you go look at my piece I said to learn her name now because she would be big. I told a friend last night that 20-30 years from now, she'd be the one that made the most money from this group.

She will be bigger than Melinda -long haul- but I still don't she her winning this year.

Posted on April 11, 2007 09:36

Maybe mr. nifong should get... (Below threshold)

24. Posted by moseby | April 11, 2007 9:39 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

moseby:

Maybe mr. nifong should get his cherry popped in the state penn.

Posted on April 11, 2007 09:39

>Incidentally, I came ac... (Below threshold)

25. Posted by Paul | April 11, 2007 9:46 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

>Incidentally, I came across an administrator by the name of justice58 over at a Duke Rape Case Discussion Board. Just in case anyone feels compelled to inquire if that is the same person who posted here.

WOW... You can go over there and spend hours playing "Pin the Tail on the Psychopath"

Posted on April 11, 2007 09:46

If you go look at my pie... (Below threshold)

26. Posted by _Mike_ | April 11, 2007 9:50 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Which is why the accused should file a civil suit against her.

Posted on April 11, 2007 09:50

Good news... (Below threshold)

27. Posted by Phil | April 11, 2007 10:12 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Phil:

Good news

Posted on April 11, 2007 10:12

_Mike_ you got sucked into ... (Below threshold)

28. Posted by Paul | April 11, 2007 10:16 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

_Mike_ you got sucked into the crosstalk. WW and I where discussing American Idol. sorry.

Posted on April 11, 2007 10:16

I have to agree with the ab... (Below threshold)

29. Posted by Allen | April 11, 2007 10:22 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Allen:

I have to agree with the above posts. The DA should go to jail, the accuser should also, plus receive some mental health treatment about her BS.

Duke University should fire all the professors who opened their mouths about this. All should be sued, and Jessie Jackson and et all should be included in the law suits. No settlement out of court with secretly BS attached.

And for the last, a public apology, on national TV, carried by all the networks, by Jackson et al. I would love to see and hear that!

Posted on April 11, 2007 10:22

"Incidentally, I came ac... (Below threshold)

30. Posted by Eric | April 11, 2007 10:39 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Eric:

"Incidentally, I came across an administrator by the name of justice58 over at a Duke Rape Case Discussion Board. Just in case anyone feels compelled to inquire if that is the same person who posted here."

It sure looks like the same person. Same circular, nonsensical, and illogical arguments.

Posted on April 11, 2007 10:39

The 88 weren't playing with... (Below threshold)

31. Posted by kim | April 11, 2007 11:40 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

kim:

The 88 weren't playing with a full keyboard. They were out to lunch and should stay there.
=================================

Posted on April 11, 2007 11:40

Just listened to part of th... (Below threshold)

32. Posted by J.R. | April 11, 2007 2:56 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Just listened to part of the press conference (came in a little towards the end) and it pretty much sounded like they through Nifong under the bus and exonerated all 3 (non-)accused individuals claiming that an attack never happened!

That's gotta hurt those professors at Duke and the columnists who constantly claimed "something" happened that night.

Posted on April 11, 2007 14:56

Now that was a SMACK-DOWN. ... (Below threshold)

33. Posted by Eric | April 11, 2007 3:06 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Now that was a SMACK-DOWN. Nifong's asshole is puckering up hard now. Friday is his first deposition to the State Bar. The AG just targeted him for this whole mess and hinted that they may just file criminal charges against Nifong too once the State Bar is through with him.

Hey Justice58 if you ever bother to read this. The Attorney General just said that everything you ever said about this case was WRONG!

Posted on April 11, 2007 15:06

Where's that Justice58 char... (Below threshold)

34. Posted by Mitchell | April 11, 2007 3:19 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Mitchell:

Where's that Justice58 character now that she's been proven so prescient???

Posted on April 11, 2007 15:19

_Mike_ you got sucked in... (Below threshold)

35. Posted by _Mike_ | April 11, 2007 3:56 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Oops. :)

Posted on April 11, 2007 15:56

Yeah, that was pretty amusi... (Below threshold)

36. Posted by kim | April 11, 2007 11:04 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Yeah, that was pretty amusing. All set to go there you were, too. Actually, you had a point.
===============================

Posted on April 11, 2007 23:04

How gross to have 3 white 2... (Below threshold)

37. Posted by aby | April 11, 2007 11:13 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

aby:

How gross to have 3 white 20 year olds buy liquor and then HIRE call girls. How do white rich Division 1 athletes lower themselves to such a low standard. How do there parents recpect there own sons for being so repulsive.

It goes to show you that rich white people hire rich white attorenys. What about thousands of others that cannot afford attorneys and are in jail or unduly on probation by bully lawyers and prosecutors. Time to take elections out of Judges. Anchorage Alaska should be the first place to look for this.

Posted on April 11, 2007 23:13

I'm not sure boorish activi... (Below threshold)

38. Posted by MikeSC | April 12, 2007 12:37 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

MikeSC:

I'm not sure boorish activity warrants false accusations of rape, Aby.
-=Mike

Posted on April 12, 2007 00:37

Gee aby...it's almost like ... (Below threshold)

39. Posted by moseby | April 12, 2007 10:59 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

Gee aby...it's almost like survival of the fittest, isn't it?

Posted on April 12, 2007 10:59

ABC: Duke Case to be Dropped.

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Comments (39)