Is it over?
Is the Duke lacrosse rape case finally about to end? It looks like something's afoot, with at least two defendants returning to Raleigh today, according to an online report by The News & Observer.
After a long three months' investigation by the Attorney General's Office, it's time for a decision.
My prediction: All charges will be dropped.
There's no criminal case here. A fair, impartial judgment, which I believe AG Roy Cooper and his staff will deliver, should conclude that the accusations against Reade Seligmann, David Evans and Collin Finnerty are not credible.
Durham DA Mike Nifong charged ahead with no plausible evidence, and now he's in the dock before the N.C. Bar for alleged ethics violations. For whatever reason, he was making a mockery of due process and the pursuit of justice.
Cooper needs to put a stop to it, and I believe he will.
Update, 10:15 Wednesday: AP reports it is over. More details later. I'll be out of the office for a few hours but will offer some reactions this evening.
Comments (9)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
Cooper needs to put a stop to it, and I believe he will.* Doug
Well if he does Doug and does the right thing, he will be a sweep in for Gov in this state. Of course if he does the typical police state move and decides to go to trial on the remaining charges. The State of North Carolina will continue to rank number one as a state of injustice.
Posted on April 10, 2007 10:33 PM
I wonder if the liberal press will go after Nifong, like they went after Imus. NOT! He one of the good ole boys.
Posted on April 11, 2007 6:36 AM
Doug, have you been reading? Nifong has been pilloried for months. He's probably the most reviled public official in North Carolina.
Roy Cooper might move up to second if he decides to pursue this prosecution.
Posted on April 11, 2007 8:31 AM
I'd agree, Doug (Clark, that is). Nifong hardly has gotten a free pass from the media on this one. He's been roundly criticized - and rightly so.
I hope that if the Attorney General drops the charges, he also makes a statement that clears the name of these three young men.
In other words, it's not enough to say, "We had to drop the charges due to insufficient evidence", which still leaves a cloud of suspicion hanging over the case. He needs to say, "These young men were wrongly accused and charged with a crime."
Posted on April 11, 2007 9:32 AM
Anyone want to bet some good old hard cash? Nothing will happen to him. The press is already
dropping it like a hot iron. Cooper took a dive, no way in hell this lady should not be charged. And how about the police dept in Durham, and how much flak has the so called police chief taken. And please do not forget Sgt. Gottilied the yankee press pick up on him a year ago. Every read one word about him, in a NC paper. I could go on for hours, my wife cooked supper tonight and that in its self is a rare thing.
Posted on April 11, 2007 6:48 PM
I'm glad this is over and happy for the outcome.
A "he-said/she-said" case is the most difficult to prosecute, and when the accuser has credibility problems it's nigh impossible.
I hope other prosecutors will learn from Nifong's horrible conduct and make doubly sure of the prosecutability of their cases before proceeding...and before making public asses of themselves in front of the press and the world.
Stick a fork in Nifong...he's done!
Posted on April 11, 2007 7:01 PM
Anyone want to bet some good old hard cash? *DJ
Not really! Now the State Lottory has a whole new meaning. How much will it cost the taxpayers of this state for this mess by Nifong? The defendents families have spent about 3.5 million for lawyers. I guess Gov Easley was right about increasing the lottary take after the State settles this mess with the defendents. After all he started the Nifong lottary political ticket.
Posted on April 11, 2007 8:00 PM
Nothing will happen to Nifong? He's going to be disbarred, and probably sued.
The Durham PD may have to fork out some money, too. Conducting the rigged photo lineup puts the PD in very hot water.
Posted on April 11, 2007 8:49 PM
Mr. Clark,
Disbarred? I been fired more times than a civil war cannon. Big Deal! I taking about good old hard jail time. This guy was willing to put the young men in jail for years.And he is going to fired. Hell the Duke coach Mike Pressler got fired and he did not anything.
Posted on April 12, 2007 6:36 AM