The Situation In Durham
We've all heard about the Duke rape case by now. And that the charges have been dropped. This whole situation has been just so out of control.
Let me preface this by saying that from what I've heard in the news, there is no question that the Duke lacrosse players are dirtbags. There is no question that there was a lot of alcohol being consumed at the party, and there is no question that strippers were hired. In my opinion, drunk guys watching strippers are dirtbags. Period. They also reportedly used racial slurs and sent inappropriate emails. Dirtbags no doubt.
But then there are the DA and the accuser.
Let's start with the DA, Mike Nifong. It turns out that he allegedly withheld evidence from the defense that indicated that there was DNA from something like 3 other men found on her. Men who were not at the party. There are lots of other examples of how Nifong botched this case. But withholding evidence from the defense, reportedly for seven months, is inexcusable. Especially when that evidence would have exonerated the defendants.
Why is this man not being prosecuted himself? Why is there not an independent investigation being conducted in to how Nifong handled the case? Why are there not procedures underway to have him disbarred?
And then there is the accuser. From the beginning, she kept changing her story. First that she was raped by 20 men. Then none. Then she settled with 3. And now she has said that she isn't sure she was raped at all.
Meanwhile, the lives of 3 young men and their families have been torn apart. Yes, they guys were dirtbags. But that does not make them rapists. They should be held accountable for some really inappropriate behavior, but they should be able to live their lives without the label of rapist. Imagine when one of these guys shows up for a job interview. Their pictures have been plastered in the news all over the country. They don't deserve that.
So where do we go from here? The DA needs to resign, and be investigated for possible prosecutorial misconduct. The accuser needs to issue a public apology to everyone whose lives she destroyed. Perhaps she should also be prosecuted for filing a false report. And the 3 young men need to take a look at the decisions they are making in their personal lives and shape up.
I'd say that the whole thing has been a comedy of errors, but unfortunately none of it is the least bit funny.
Let me preface this by saying that from what I've heard in the news, there is no question that the Duke lacrosse players are dirtbags. There is no question that there was a lot of alcohol being consumed at the party, and there is no question that strippers were hired. In my opinion, drunk guys watching strippers are dirtbags. Period. They also reportedly used racial slurs and sent inappropriate emails. Dirtbags no doubt.
But then there are the DA and the accuser.
Let's start with the DA, Mike Nifong. It turns out that he allegedly withheld evidence from the defense that indicated that there was DNA from something like 3 other men found on her. Men who were not at the party. There are lots of other examples of how Nifong botched this case. But withholding evidence from the defense, reportedly for seven months, is inexcusable. Especially when that evidence would have exonerated the defendants.
Why is this man not being prosecuted himself? Why is there not an independent investigation being conducted in to how Nifong handled the case? Why are there not procedures underway to have him disbarred?
And then there is the accuser. From the beginning, she kept changing her story. First that she was raped by 20 men. Then none. Then she settled with 3. And now she has said that she isn't sure she was raped at all.
Meanwhile, the lives of 3 young men and their families have been torn apart. Yes, they guys were dirtbags. But that does not make them rapists. They should be held accountable for some really inappropriate behavior, but they should be able to live their lives without the label of rapist. Imagine when one of these guys shows up for a job interview. Their pictures have been plastered in the news all over the country. They don't deserve that.
So where do we go from here? The DA needs to resign, and be investigated for possible prosecutorial misconduct. The accuser needs to issue a public apology to everyone whose lives she destroyed. Perhaps she should also be prosecuted for filing a false report. And the 3 young men need to take a look at the decisions they are making in their personal lives and shape up.
I'd say that the whole thing has been a comedy of errors, but unfortunately none of it is the least bit funny.
posted by Susan | 11:34 AM
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