Posted on 04/11/2006 12:16:48 PM PDT by Perdogg
DURHAM -- The Duke lacrosse team rape investigation will continue until all three attackers are identified, District Attorney Mike Nifong told an N.C. Central University audience Tuesday.
Nifong, who was added late Monday to a previously scheduled panel to discuss the investigation with NCCU students and faculty, countered arguments made Monday by Duke lacrosse players' lawyers, who said DNA test results cleared all 46 team members.
Nifong said further DNA tests are being conducted and that the woman making the allegations has identified at least one lacrosse player as an attacker.
"I hope you will understand by my presence here this morning that the case is not going away," Nifong said. DNA results can be helpful, but DNA evidence is absent in 75 to 80 percent of cases, he said. They also can clear the innocent, which remains an important consideration, after the March 13 team party at which team members admit hiring two exotic dancers. One of them told police three men took her into a bathroom of the house at 610 N. Buchanan Blvd., where they beat and raped her.
"Until we identify all three of those people, that means some of these young men are going to be walking around under a cloud," Nifong said.
But, he said later, in response to a comment in a question-and-answer that police and prosecutors arrest black suspects more quickly than whites in such cases: "There was no identification of any member of the lacrosse team until last week" and that identification of an attacker in this case will be a question for a jury to decide.
Also Tuesday, prominent Washington, D.C., attorney Bob Bennett stepped into the case, saying he has been retained by the Committee for Fairness to Duke Families, an newly formed organization of university supporters affiliated with major contributors, athletes and students.
Bennett told the Associated Press that members of the Duke community are being judged "before all the facts are in."
"It is grossly unfair, and cool heads must prevail," he said. "It is important to await the outcome of any investigations that are taking place. Facts are important and should not be disregarded."
The NCCU panel included Durham Mayor Bill Bell, City Councilman Howard Clement, Duke Student Government Association President Jesse Longoria and NCCU student Deondra Ramsey.
ping!
So this woman turns up at the Duke venue with bruises already on her, and then afterwards claims rape although no DNA can be found.
Don't think her pimp beat her up and she's trying to pin on the rich white boys, do ya?
Wonder if he will do what Fitz did to keep his name above the fold? The old perjury trap.
As I understand it, there was no DNA evidence found on the accuser, is this correct? Still leaves a lot of room for a felony, but would likely be very damaging to a fabrication if the woman is lying.
*****
Does "DA" stand for Dumb Ass?
The woman was raped by three men and she can't identify even one of them? hmmmm Maybe to black chicks all Lacrosse players look alike.
Maybe the next step will be for the accused to release the photos . . .
They were wearing their helmets.
I hope this jerk goes down with his sinking ship. If I was a lawyer, I'd love to represent one of those falsely accused kids.
I tell you it was Mike Tyson, Kobe Bryant and Bill Clinton.
Two black guys and the first black president.
If she's identified somebody after initially failing to, it looks an awful lot like a case of "refreshed recollection" a la Janet Reno.
It is possible that none of the alleged attackes deposited any DNA...
amazing isn't it? The beat her and raped but didn't leave any DNA.
What's the point of collecting and evaluating 46 samples if there's nothing to test them against?
He's an idiot.
He is basically saying he is going to prosecute no matter what.
Exactly. Perhaps she saw their pictures on the those HUGE posters they printed up and hung all over town?
There is none of their DNA on, in, or around her.
He should be thrown out of office
This smells more and more like a pr stunt for his election
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