Parents of Duke Lacrosse Players Express Anger at Durham DA
Raleigh, N.C. — In an interview on "60 Minutes," the parents of the three Duke lacrosse players indicted in connection with an alleged attack on a woman talked about how the case has had an impact on their families.
They directed their anger squarely at Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong.
An exotic dancer claims she was attacked by three members of the Duke lacrosse team at an off-campus party in March. David Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann were initially charged with first-degree rape, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree sexual offense in the case.
In December, Nifong dropped rape charges after the alleged victim said she could not say for certain whether she was raped.
"Every mother of a son in this country should be scared to death that this was so easy to perpetrate," said Kathy Seligmann, Reade Seligmann's mother.
Rae Evans, David Evans' mother, said she believes Nifong's relentless pursuit of the three players was politically motivated.
"This is about a man who chose to use a troubled young woman's story of fantastic lies to advance his own political career, which was crumbling," she said. "He needed something big. He needed that magic bullet and he shot it and he shot it right at our sons."
On Friday, Nifong recused himself from the case. Two special prosecutors with the state Attorney General's Office will take over. Among the thousands of documents they will review is the report of a forensic expert hired by Nifong.
Dr. Brian Meehan, of DNA Security, said he made a mistake by not stating in his report that he found DNA on the accuser from others who were not lacrosse players.
"In retrospect, I know there was a better way, and I should have done a better job of relaying that information," he said.
According to "60 Minutes," the organization that accredits forensic labs has launched an investigation into DNA Security. WRAL was unable to reach Nifong for his response.
In addition, "60 Minutes," said the alleged victim has a long psychiatric history.
The Finnertys and Seligmanns said an invitation for their sons to return to school was too little too late. They said it would be hard to send their children back to a place where the leaders did not support them.
Duke University did not comment on the families' statements.
They directed their anger squarely at Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong.
An exotic dancer claims she was attacked by three members of the Duke lacrosse team at an off-campus party in March. David Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann were initially charged with first-degree rape, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree sexual offense in the case.
In December, Nifong dropped rape charges after the alleged victim said she could not say for certain whether she was raped.
"Every mother of a son in this country should be scared to death that this was so easy to perpetrate," said Kathy Seligmann, Reade Seligmann's mother.
Rae Evans, David Evans' mother, said she believes Nifong's relentless pursuit of the three players was politically motivated.
"This is about a man who chose to use a troubled young woman's story of fantastic lies to advance his own political career, which was crumbling," she said. "He needed something big. He needed that magic bullet and he shot it and he shot it right at our sons."
On Friday, Nifong recused himself from the case. Two special prosecutors with the state Attorney General's Office will take over. Among the thousands of documents they will review is the report of a forensic expert hired by Nifong.
Dr. Brian Meehan, of DNA Security, said he made a mistake by not stating in his report that he found DNA on the accuser from others who were not lacrosse players.
"In retrospect, I know there was a better way, and I should have done a better job of relaying that information," he said.
According to "60 Minutes," the organization that accredits forensic labs has launched an investigation into DNA Security. WRAL was unable to reach Nifong for his response.
In addition, "60 Minutes," said the alleged victim has a long psychiatric history.
The Finnertys and Seligmanns said an invitation for their sons to return to school was too little too late. They said it would be hard to send their children back to a place where the leaders did not support them.
Duke University did not comment on the families' statements.
- Reporter: Melissa Buscher
- Photographer: Tom Normanly
- Web Editor: Kamal Wallace
RELATED TOPICS: Durham County, Durham, Duke University
Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
22 Comments
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January 15, 2007 5:38 p.m.
If the palyers had been black and from NCCU and the dancer had been white, do you think this would be playing out the same way in the media? I don't think so. Money and privilege determine innocence or guilt....
January 15, 2007 5:26 p.m.
Martin Luther King wanted a day when we would be judged by our conduct and character and not by the color of our skin. I guess the liberals only think this is applied when it is in their limited scope of existence.
Pray for the students and this disturbed girl, but why not tear apart the people who tore this community apart based on race and lies. Duke should fire each professor that acted against these Duke students.
January 15, 2007 5:25 p.m.
January 15, 2007 4:35 p.m.
January 15, 2007 4:13 p.m.