2008 Woodie Awards
Lacrosse players go on the offensive
John Ludwig
Issue date: 4/18/07 Section: Opinion
Last Wednesday the defendant lacrosse players, David Evans, Reade Seligmann and Collin Finerty, were cleared of all rape and sexual assault charges by a North Carolina Central University stripper most likely known as "Precious," but her real name is Crystal Magnum. Though the Duke lacrosse rape case, which has been going on for longer than I can remember, has finally concluded, it just may happen that the Duke-lacrossing, state-prosecuting, strip-teasing mayhem is far from over.
The main thing to say is that these students got the shaft when it came to support during the trial. Everyone initially labeled them guilty until proven innocent. Through their unwavering stance on their complete innocence, these students persevered. Now that they're done being the defendants, it's starting to look as if they soon plan on being part of the prosecution.
Who are they considering on suing? Honestly, does it matter? All that matters now is that everyone tried to screw the lacrosse players over, and now it's high time for some restitution.
The most prominent target (I mean person) is District Attorney Michael Nifong, who may soon come under ethics charges for his conduct during his prosecution of the students. Despite the absence of credible evidence to build a case on, he took it regardless, in attempts, as many columnists say, to help his political campaign. His handling of the trial was negligent for holding off on examining the key witness for so long. I should also mention the part where the DNA test results, which exonerated the entire lacrosse team, were not immediately given to the defense. Simply put, Nifong took this case and, in spite of all the signs, ran it into the ground worse than Trent Reznor has done with his career by releasing his new album, Year Zero (It just goes to show that sobriety and closure don't make for good music, just as a drunk stripper doesn't make for a good witness). Rest assured, Nifong will be held accountable for his actions.
The main thing to say is that these students got the shaft when it came to support during the trial. Everyone initially labeled them guilty until proven innocent. Through their unwavering stance on their complete innocence, these students persevered. Now that they're done being the defendants, it's starting to look as if they soon plan on being part of the prosecution.
Who are they considering on suing? Honestly, does it matter? All that matters now is that everyone tried to screw the lacrosse players over, and now it's high time for some restitution.
The most prominent target (I mean person) is District Attorney Michael Nifong, who may soon come under ethics charges for his conduct during his prosecution of the students. Despite the absence of credible evidence to build a case on, he took it regardless, in attempts, as many columnists say, to help his political campaign. His handling of the trial was negligent for holding off on examining the key witness for so long. I should also mention the part where the DNA test results, which exonerated the entire lacrosse team, were not immediately given to the defense. Simply put, Nifong took this case and, in spite of all the signs, ran it into the ground worse than Trent Reznor has done with his career by releasing his new album, Year Zero (It just goes to show that sobriety and closure don't make for good music, just as a drunk stripper doesn't make for a good witness). Rest assured, Nifong will be held accountable for his actions.
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