Duke To Reinstate Seligmann, Finnerty (DukeLax)

WTVD ^ | January 3, 2007 | Staff

[abb]

(01/03/07 -- DURHAM) - Duke lacrosse defendants Colin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann are both expected to be reinstated today as Duke students in good standing, two sources close to the case told ABC News. Also on abc11tv.com: Send us news tips | Desktop Alert | ABC11 AccuWeather | Pinpoint Traffic Defendant David Evans was allowed to graduate last spring, but underclassmen Seligmann and Finnerty were suspended from the University pending a resolution of the assault charges.

December 22, 2006, prosecutors dropped rape charges against the three Duke lacrosse players accused of attacking a stripper at a team party, but the three still face kidnapping and sexual offense charges.

According to court papers filed by District Attorney Mike Nifong, the accuser says she now does not know if she was penetrated during the alleged attack.

The accuser, a 28-year-old student at North Carolina Central University, has said three men raped her in a bathroom at a March 13 Duke lacrosse team party where she was hired to perform as a stripper.

The indicted players - Dave Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann - all say they are innocent, and their attorneys have consistently said no sex occurred at the party.

Evans graduated from Duke in May, the day before he was indicted. Sophomores Finnerty and Seligmann were suspended following their April 2006 indictments.

The Duke lacrosse team was also suspended from play, but was reinstated in June on a provisionary basis.

A press conference from defense attorneys is expected this afternoon.

Stay with abc11tv.com and ABC11 Eyewitness News for the latest on this developing story.

[sissyjane]

Sounds like I missed some fireworks today?

[JLS]

Trying to head off a lawsuit, perhaps?

They can not head off a law suit. They can mitigate the damages for Finerty and Seligmann by reinstating them.

[Howlin]

ROFLMAO.

You are being B A D.........LOL.

[Jezebelle]

ROFLMBO!! :>

[Jezebelle]

They should be given full compensation at any university they are admitted to, including graduate programs, including lodging, food, materials, automobiles, and a generous spending allowance award. The package for each boy should be well into the six figures. Dave should receive likewise, of course, because even though he was allowed to graduate, he was still damaged by Duke.

[Jezebelle]

They can apply elsewhere now that they're in good standing.

[supercat]

But, if not for the fact that these nice young gentlemen hired a stripper (dog) to bump and grind for their lovely little party, NONE of the damage (fleas) would have occurred.

Stripping is legal, and from what I understand the team hired the strippers through a legitimate agency. Whether or not one likes strippers from a moral perspective, I see no reason why a group of people who have sufficient self-control to refrain from actually committing sexual assault should face any more legal danger from hiring a stripper than from hiring a magician, lounge singer, or other entertainer.

Actually, I'd say the students involved exercised pretty good judgement in documenting their actions and whereabouts. Their biggest mistake was taking up residence in Nifong's jurisdiction. That's the real sine qua non of this whole affair.

[JLS]

It could have been any woman at any time. The fact that she's a stripper is not relevant.

Exactly the damage [fleas] was done by Nifong [the dog]. I don't believe the anyone from Duke and especially not any lacrosse players chose to lie down with him. He is a creature of a Dim governor.

Unless newgeezer wants to argue the damage [fleas] was also done by the Duke 88 faculty [the dogs]? It is true that Lacrosse team did decide to lie down with Duke and by extension the 88. But it is hard for me to blame a 17 year old for not understanding that Duke would be full of people that hate him for his sex, race and the money his parents have earned.

[Jezebelle]

""We are also glad that Duke University has now made it clear that Reade is welcome to return to the University and look forward to the day that he can return to living a normal life and continuing his education as a full-time student," the statement said."

That doesn't mean he's going to return to Duke. "....look forward to the day....." sounds like a more distant point in the future than the start of the next semester, which is pretty quick. Maybe, now that he's in good standing, he can apply elsewhere and that's the day he's looking forward to.

[supercat]

I have felt all along that the only way to end this is with a trial that absolutely beyond a doubt proves their innocence and the accuer's and Nifong's complicity.

Oh I agree, but I think such a trial could best be conducted with Nifong sitting at the defense table.

[Jezebelle]

.....which is one of the reasons why defense counsel has had to go as far as they have in pushing Nifong through all the means available. Because of that support from black Durhamites, Nifong was elected and feels empowered to continue, even though now it's merely to save his own behind.

[Jezebelle]

I caught that, too.

I weonder if it gave Brodhead pause............and indigestion.

[Jezebelle]

I would guess that better than half the men in America have either been to parties or bars where strippers performed.

GMAB. Take your whining and shove it.

[Jezebelle]

Well said. :>

[Jezebelle]

Some do, some don't, if the subject is ethical or moral values.

[Jezebelle]

Really? When was that?

[Jezebelle]

Why don't you just spare us your input. You obviously haven't followed this case and don't know what you're talking about. I think you're against these boys, period, and are one of the people who'd like to see them imprisoned just because....well....just because you want them to be without any valid reason.

[Howlin]

Now there, my friend, is the best idea I've heard so far this year!

[maggief]

Not too many days ago ... thought she was sipping the koolaid.

[NinoFan]

About time.