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8:23 a.m. • 2-10-12

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Trial Date Set for Nifong on State Bar Charges


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Mike Nifong
Mike Nifong

The North Carolina State Bar on Tuesday set a June 12 trial date to hear complaints against Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong for his handling of the Duke lacrosse sexual assault case.

If found guilty, Nifong could be disbarred.

In a complaint filed in December, the State Bar cited more than 100 examples of public statements Nifong made to the media, including WRAL, since the case broke in March 2006. In part, the Bar said those comments "have a substantial likelihood of heightening public condemnation of the accused."

Three lacrosse players were indicted on charges of rape, sexual assault and kidnapping. The rape charges were dismissed in December.

In January, the Bar amended the complaint, adding that Nifong allegedly had withheld DNA evidence from defense attorneys—exculpatory evidence that could show a defendant is not guilty.

In a written response to the accusations, Nifong said he did not intentionally violate ethics rules and denied that he intentionally withheld evidence.

Amid mounting scrutiny of his handling of the case, Nifong in January recused himself and turned the case over to the North Carolina Attorney General's Office.

Since then, special prosecutors have been examining the case and interviewing people involved, including the woman who accused the players. The attorney general's office said Wednesday that it hopes to finish its review within the next few weeks.

RELATED TOPICS: Durham County, Durham

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I hope he gets everything that is coming to him. I am not a lawyer and even I know you don't go around bragging about your evidence (in this case there was none). Gov. Easley said that this was the worst mistake he has made, and I believe him. He was appointed under the premise that he would NOT run for office. I for one amd glad that I have never voted for him.

Cheers for the NC Bar! The evidence is clear and without a shadow of a doubt. Nifong should be permanently disbarred and heavily fined. Then he should be subject to civil suits as well. His whole legal staff should also be fully investigated for ethics violations. Nifong did not get to be DA by himself and he did not do all of the work himself. His whole staff must be fully investigated for ethics violations. Nothing short of that will even come close to restoring public faith and trust.

bandit- LOL That is just too funny and true! Seeya Nifong! And good riddance!

Nifong is the crookiest crook of them all. Maybe he, "Mr. Black", etc. should be given pink jumpsuits before going to serve their neighborhood by picking up trash like themselves.

Have you seen the latest from ABC 11's parent company. Seems like the local reporters could not find time to talk to all these NC Lawyers, but ABC sure did:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/LegalCenter/story?id=2971265&page=1

Way to go investigative reporters!

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