Former Duke Lacrosse Coach Slams Nifong

Raleigh, N.C. — Former Duke lacrosse coach Mike Pressler said the investigation into former Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong's handling of the Duke lacrosse case should continue.

"He maliciously pursued this case, knowing that those boys were innocent, for his own ambitions and political gain," Pressler said.

Pressler, who co-wrote a book about the Duke lacrosse case, "It's Not About the Truth," was pressured to resign after the rape allegations surfaced. He now coaches at Bryant University in Rhode Island.

Pressler said he was surprised to hear that Nifong wanted to remain in office until next month despite being disbarred. Durham Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson later suspended Nifong with pay until he resigns, citing concern that the embattled prosecutor's presence could cause legal problems with cases.

"I don't understand why that's happening. I can't believe it hasn't been done immediately. I thought the minute he was disbarred, his career as a DA was over," Pressler said.

The North Carolina State Bar's Disciplinary Hearing Commission found that Nifong broke more than two dozen rules of professional conduct during his handling of the Duke lacrosse rape case. It ordered his disbarrment, but that automatically takes 30 days to take effect.

Pressler said he has several questions to ask the former Durham prosecutor if they were to meet face-to-face.

"Why did you do this? You could have put the brakes on this numerous times. Why did put all of those boys and their families through the wringer here for your own ambition, for your own job?" Pressler said. "I've said it before, 'Hey Mike, what goes around comes around, and you are going to get yours for the mistakes that were made.'"

Pressler will be at the Regulator Bookshop at 720 Ninth Street in Durham at 7 p.m. Thursday to sign copies of his book.

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Hey TGC, wake up and smell the coffee. Pressler had a history of strong handing his teams regarding misbehavior. This happened on spring break and he wasn't aware until later....by the way, do you assume that the chair of the history,biology and any other dept should be held accountable for all the students that are majoring in their field... I think not.

Having strippers, drinking under age, etc ain't that cool but it ain't rape. If we suspended every kid in every college or university that drank under age we would not have many schools of higher learning in business. As sad as that may be.

Boogalooboy
June 22, 2007 8:31 a.m.

I am sooooo tired of this story!!!!!!

elliemae
June 22, 2007 7:05 a.m.

tgcmisc: I wish you could have been at Mike Pressler's book signing in Durham tonight. With grace and elegance he talk about the trials and tribulations this case brought on his own family, and the families of his players.

I agree that there was some tremendously bad judgement exercised that night, but I'm not sure any reasonable person would think that the punishment fit the crime. And I don't think any amount of money in the world would make that kind of pain and agony worthwhile.

I responded to your post at greater length on my blog ... feel free to comment there if you wish. http://www.mikehelms.org/blog

Mike H
June 21, 2007 11:02 p.m.

I wish the media would ask "Coach" some really tough questions...

Why did YOU not know that your team was "out of control"?

Why did YOU not know that 1/3 of the squad had been arrested?

What do you think your responsibility was/is to the parents, the team and the university? Why did you NOT enforce the University's Code of Conduct and be more of a disciplinarian?

Coach has received a GENEROUS $ettlement. He has a book deal...maybe he wants a MOVIE...

He needs to grow up and be accountable for his actions.

If he had maintained PROPER control of his team, then the drinking, parties, strippers, arrests, etc. MIGHT not have happened.

I am GLAD that the charges were dropped. I am GLAD that Mr. Nifong will be "punished" for his miss deeds...

BUT, I think that the University should (and they will NOT) learn that SOMEONE has a responsibility to the parents to make sure that student athletes are being properly supervised.

tgcmisc
June 21, 2007 9:07 p.m.

You do understand that there are criminal charges Nifong will be facing soon, don't you? Lying to material facts to a judge, obstruction of justice in witholding evidence. Yes, he will be facing criminal charges so he will not be able, under any circumstances, be able to profit from his fiasco. The only thing that can't be touched is his pension cannot be attached, his house I'm sure is also in his wife's name.