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===District attorney's actions===
===District attorney's actions===
Defense lawyers and media outlets were very critical about how the Durham District Attorney, [[Mike Nifong]], handled the case. Nifong responded by saying that the criticisms were a product of a defense strategy to malign the prosecution and intimidate the alleged rape victim.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/12/24/MNGDTN5CEO1.DTL As Duke rape case unravels, D.A.'s judgment questioned: Defense describes him as willing to skirt law for conviction]. ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]].'' 24 December 2006.</ref>
Defense lawyers and media outlets were very critical about how the Durham District Attorney, Mike Nifong, handled the case. Nifong responded by saying that the criticisms were a product of a defense strategy to malign the prosecution and intimidate the alleged rape victim.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/12/24/MNGDTN5CEO1.DTL As Duke rape case unravels, D.A.'s judgment questioned: Defense describes him as willing to skirt law for conviction]. ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]].'' 24 December 2006.</ref>


The criticisms focused on a series of alleged missteps: that he went public with a series of accusations that later turned out to be untrue; that he exaggerated and intensified racial tensions; that he unduly influenced the Durham police investigation; that he tried to manipulate potential witnesses; that he refused to hear [[exculpatory evidence]] prior to indictment; that he had never spoken directly to the alleged victim about the accusations; that he crossed ethical lines by making public comments about the case, possibly prejudicing potential jurors; and that he conspired with the DNA lab director to withhold potentially exculpatory DNA.<ref name="DA">[http://www.newsobserver.com/1185/story/468272.html Lacrosse files show gaps in DA's case]. ''[[The News & Observer]]''. 6 August 2006.</ref> Media outlets that launched blistering attacks on Nifong, demanding his resignation or recusal from the case, included, but were not limited to:
The criticisms focused on a series of alleged missteps: that he went public with a series of accusations that later turned out to be untrue; that he exaggerated and intensified racial tensions; that he unduly influenced the Durham police investigation; that he tried to manipulate potential witnesses; that he refused to hear [[exculpatory evidence]] prior to indictment; that he had never spoken directly to the alleged victim about the accusations; that he crossed ethical lines by making public comments about the case, possibly prejudicing potential jurors; and that he conspired with the DNA lab director to withhold potentially exculpatory DNA.<ref name="DA">[http://www.newsobserver.com/1185/story/468272.html Lacrosse files show gaps in DA's case]. ''[[The News & Observer]]''. 6 August 2006.</ref> Media outlets that launched blistering attacks on Nifong, demanding his resignation or recusal from the case, included, but were not limited to:

Revision as of 15:36, 26 July 2007

Michael Nifong
North Carolina District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 14
In office
April 27, 2005 – June 21 2007[1]
Preceded byJim Hardin
Succeeded byJim Hardin (acting)
ConstituencyDurham County, North Carolina
Personal details
BornSeptember 14, 1950
Wilmington, North Carolina
Political partyDemocratic

Michael Byron "Mike" Nifong (IPA: ['naɪ.foŋ], NYE-fong) (born September 14 1950) is a disbarred North Carolina attorney. He is best known as the district attorney for Durham County, North Carolina (the state's 14th Prosecutorial District), best known for his role in the 2006 Duke University lacrosse case.[2]

Early life

Nifong was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa [3] from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1971 with a degree in political science. After working as a teacher and social worker, he returned to UNC in 1975 and earned a law degree in 1978. In the same year, he was admitted to the bar.

Nifong immediately sought a position as an assistant district attorney, having long had an ambition to be a prosecutor. After a year as a per diem assistant DA with the Durham County DA's office, he was hired on a full-time basis in 1979. He eventually worked his way up to chief assistant. After District Attorney Jim Hardin was appointed to a Superior Court vacancy in 2005, Easley appointed Nifong to fill out the remainder of Hardin's term. Nifong was sworn in on April 27, 2005.

Duke lacrosse case

Main article: 2006 Duke University lacrosse case

Nifong initially garnered strong support in some quarters for defending Crystal Gail Mangum, an African American woman who was working as an escort and stripper.[4][5] As the details of the case emerged, however, Nifong came under severe attack not only from advocates of the indicted students but also by mainstream news sources such as 60 Minutes,[6] The New York Times,[7][8] The Washington Post,[9] and the Los Angeles Times,[10] The criticisms have focused on a series of alleged missteps: that he went public with a series of accusations that later turned out to be untrue; that he exaggerated and intensified racial tensions; that he unduly influenced the Durham police investigation; that he tried to manipulate potential witnesses; that he refused to hear exculpatory evidence prior to indictment; and that he had never spoken directly to the alleged victim about the accusations. Nifong stated in a court hearing on October 27 2006 that, six months after the arrest of the Duke Lacrosse players, he had not yet interviewed the alleged victim. "I haven't talked with her about the facts of that night. ... We're not at that stage yet." According to Nifong, none of his assistants had discussed the case with her, either.[11]

Critics of the district attorney requested that Nifong be investigated, punished and disbarred for his actions in this case.[12] On December 12, 2006, it was reported that Republican Representative Walter Jones of North Carolina's 3rd district sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales asking for an investigation into whether Nifong committed "prosecutorial misconduct" and violated the civil rights of the three suspects in the case;[13] Gonzales has stated that his office might investigate how Nifong has handled the case.[14] Critics have noted that police were instructed to "Go through Mr. Nifong for any directions as to how to conduct matters in this case.", an unusual move for a prosecutor.[15]

Prior to the most intense criticism of his handling of the case, Nifong won the Democratic primary on May 2 2006.[16] Many critics have argued that Nifong brought the Duke case forward simply to win a tough reelection fight against two opponents in Durham, a city with a sizeable African American community.[17]

Nifong won the general election in November 2006, receiving 49% of the votes, while Durham lawyer and Democrat Lewis Cheek received 40% even though he said he would not serve if elected,[18] and Republican Party Chairman Steve Monks got 11% as a write-in candidate.

On December 22, 2006, Nifong dropped rape charges against the three Duke lacrosse players after the stripper who accused them changed her story, saying that she is no longer certain whether she was penetrated vaginally with men's penises. This also was a few days after it was revealed in court that Nifong had withheld evidence from the defense concerning the DNA tests performed.[19] In recent months, Nifong has been "under heavy criticism" for pressing ahead with what appears by many to be a weak case without any physical evidence. The defense argues that the accuser has given at least a dozen different accounts of the incident, changing the number of attackers from 20 to three, and modifying the methods by which she was assaulted.[20]

Orlando Sentinel and The Washington Post Writers Group columnist Kathleen Parker has coined a neologism using his name: "Now we can 'Nifong' someone when we want to trump up criminal charges based on flimsy evidence allegedly for political purposes. In short, when we want to screw up someone's life."[21]

On January 12, 2007, Nifong sent a letter to North Carolina Attorney General Roy A. Cooper asking his office to assume responsibility of the case.[22] This came just days after the accuser changed her story yet again, now claiming that Reade Seligmann was not involved in the alleged attack.[23][24] Previously she had falsely accused him and two others of the alleged rape. Despite this new revelation, charges against Seligmann had yet to be dropped.[23][24]

On January 13 Cooper announced that his office would take over the case.[25]

On April 11 Cooper announced that all charges in the case would be dropped and that "based on the significant inconsistencies between the evidence and the various accounts given by the accusing witness, we believe these three individuals are innocent of these charges". He referred to Nifong as a "rogue" prosecutor.

Ethics charges

  • December 28, 2006: The North Carolina Attorney General filed an ethics complaint against Nifong over his conduct in the case, accusing him of making public statements that were "prejudicial to the administration of justice" and of engaging in "conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation."[26] The 17-page document accuses Nifong of violating four rules of professional conduct, listing more than 50 examples of statements he made to the media.[27]
  • January 24, 2007: The North Carolina Attorney General filed a second round of ethics charges[28] against Nifong for a "systematic abuse of prosecutorial discretion ... prejudicial to the administration of justice" when he withheld DNA evidence to mislead the court.[29]
  • March 19, 2007: Nifong's lawyers filed a report asking for dismissal of the charges against him, arguing that his actions did not prevent the defendants from a fair trial since defense attorneys received a DNA report before a trial date was set. The North Carolina State Bar denied the request, pointing out that North Carolina law "is unambiguous: Anyone subject to an NTO [Nontestimonial Identification Order] must be given any report of test results as soon as such a report is available." The Bar continued that "Nifong is effectively arguing that he can make false statements to a court which result in the entry of an order, and then use the order that is based on his misrepresentations to claim he committed no discovery violation."[30][31]
  • April 13 2007: A hearing was held, and the request for dismissal of charges was denied. Nifong's team argued that the law about revealing exculpatory evidence to the defense was too vague about a timetable. Attorneys for the State Bar pointed out that it was only through diligent efforts of the Duke players' defense team that the DNA report was finally made available to them.
  • June 12 2007: Nifong's hearing for violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct started in Raleigh.[32]
  • June 15 2007: Nifong took the stand to testify in his own defense at the State Bar Hearing. During the testimony, he apologized to the families of the Duke athletes and stated that he would resign as district attorney. Joseph Cheshire, attorney for David Evans, one of the accused players, dismissed the apology as "a cynical political attempt to save his law license."[33]
Even at this point in the case, Nifong apparently still believed that a crime had occurred. The committee's chairman, E. Lane Williamson, asked Nifong directly if he still believed the accuser was attacked. After pausing for several seconds, Nifong said that while he could not say whether she was sexually assaulted, "something happened to make everybody leave that scene very quickly." This assertion enraged the players' attorneys, and sent one of their mothers running from the room in tears.[34]
During the five-day ethics trial, Nifong acknowledged he knew there was no DNA evidence connecting lacrosse players Reade Seligmann and Collin Finnerty to the 28-year-old woman who accused them of attacking her when he indicted them on charges of rape, sexual offense and kidnapping a year ago. [35]

District attorney's actions

Defense lawyers and media outlets were very critical about how the Durham District Attorney, Mike Nifong, handled the case. Nifong responded by saying that the criticisms were a product of a defense strategy to malign the prosecution and intimidate the alleged rape victim.[36]

The criticisms focused on a series of alleged missteps: that he went public with a series of accusations that later turned out to be untrue; that he exaggerated and intensified racial tensions; that he unduly influenced the Durham police investigation; that he tried to manipulate potential witnesses; that he refused to hear exculpatory evidence prior to indictment; that he had never spoken directly to the alleged victim about the accusations; that he crossed ethical lines by making public comments about the case, possibly prejudicing potential jurors; and that he conspired with the DNA lab director to withhold potentially exculpatory DNA.[2] Media outlets that launched blistering attacks on Nifong, demanding his resignation or recusal from the case, included, but were not limited to:

Nifong gave more than 50 interviews, many with the national media, according to his own account and confirmed by the News & Observer[2][49][50] In these interviews, Nifong repeatedly said that he is "confident that a rape occurred,"[51] calling the players "a bunch of hooligans" whose "daddies could buy them expensive lawyers."[6] Since early April 2006, however, Nifong has generally refused to talk to the media.[52]

On July 18, 2006, defense lawyers charged that Nifong made "unprofessional and discourteous" remarks. During a preliminary hearing, Nifong said, "[Defense] attorneys were almost disappointed that their clients didn't get indicted so they could be a part of this spectacle here in Durham." One lawyer ascertained that "Nifong's statement is an insult to the legal profession as a whole and is certainly unwarranted by any facts in this case." Others saw it as a personal insult. Immediately following the remarks, Nifong went on vacation and could not be reached for further comment.[53]

On October 27, 2006, Nifong stated in court that neither he nor his assistants had yet discussed the alleged assault with the accuser, saying they had so far left that aspect of the investigation to the police.[54]

On December 12, 2006, Rep. Walter Jones, R-NC, wrote a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, "asking for an investigation into Nifong to determine whether he is guilty of prosecutorial misconduct".[55]

On December 16, 2006, it was revealed that Nifong and DNA lab director Brian Meeham agreed to withhold exculpatory DNA evidence from the final report submitted to the defense team.[56][57] DNA findings, by law, must be immediately reported to the defense.[55]

On December 28, 2006, the North Carolina bar association filed ethics charges against Nifong over statements he made to the media regarding the case,[26] accusing him of violating four rules of professional conduct in more than 100 public statements, including prohibitions against "comments that have a substantial likelihood of heightening public condemnation of the accused." In the filed report, the Bar also claimed Nifong took part in "dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation" when he suggested that players may have used condoms despite the fact that medical records and the accuser's account both stated that no condoms were used.[58]

On January 12, 2007, Nifong sent a letter to North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper asking to be taken off the case, giving the responsibility of the case to the Attorney General's office.[59]

On January 24, 2007, the North Carolina State Bar filed a second round of ethics charges against Nifong for a "systematic abuse of prosecutorial discretion ... prejudicial to the administration of justice" when he withheld potentially exculpatory DNA evidence to mislead the court.

On March 19, 2007, Nifong's lawyers filed a report asking for dismissal of the charges against him, arguing that his actions did not prevent the defendants from a fair trial since defense attorneys received a DNA report before a trial date was set. The North Carolina State Bar issued a harsh denial to the request, pointing out that North Carolina law "is unambiguous: Anyone subject to an NTO must be given any report of test results as soon as such a report is available." The Bar continued that "Nifong is effectively arguing that he can make false statements to a court which result in the entry of an order, and then use the order that is based on his misrepresentations to claim he committed no discovery violation."[60][61]

On June 16, 2007, Nifong was disbarred by the disciplinary hearing commission of the North Carolina State Bar.[62] According to the commission, Nifong had committed actions that involved "dishonesty, fraud, deceit and misrepresentation," and the commission found him guilty of 27 of the 32 charges. Nifong became the first North Carolina prosecutor in history to be disbarred for his actions in a case.

The case's prosecution has been criticized by the legal analyst for the National Journal, Stuart Taylor,[7] as well as New York Times columnists David Brooks[8] and Nicholas Kristof.[7] Susan Estrich, a former Harvard law and current USC law professor as well as a feminist and victims' rights advocate, also cites serious prosecuturial misconduct and failure to follow basic procedures.[63] An investigation by CBS' 60 Minutes "reveals disturbing facts about the conduct of the police and the district attorney, and raises serious concerns."[6] (This 60 Minutes segment was honored with a Peabody Award on April 4, 2007.)[64] Several writers at Slate have also criticized the prosecution's actions and have especially criticized the mainstream media for accepting prosecution claims at face value in light of countervailing evidence.[65][66]

In light of the fact that Nifong failed to turn over potentially exculpatory evidence to defense lawyers on December 22, 2006, The News & Observer wrote that "to press forward in the [...] case, District Attorney Mike Nifong must rely on scanty evidence while deflecting serious questions about whether he broke the law or violated the ethics rules governing prosecutors."[67] Some critics have accused Nifong of using the case to improve his chances in his next election.[68]

The conclusion of all this, according to Thomas Sowell, is that "this case was the salvation of his career, by enabling" what Sowell calls a "demagogue" to go into an election "his opponent was favored to win" and "to win the black vote with inflammatory charges against white students accused of raping a black woman."[68]

Disbarment

Wikinews has related news:

On June 16, 2007, the North Carolina State Bar Disciplinary Committee unanimously voted to strip Nifong of his law license after delivering a verdict of "yes" (i.e., guilty) to 27 of 32 charges. The committee found that Nifong's previously exemplary disciplinary record and acknowledgment of his improper pre-trial statements were substantially outweighed by (among other things) the players' vulnerability and his failure to acknowledge the "wrongful nature of (his) conduct with respect of the handling of DNA evidence."[69] He was removed from office on July 13, 2007.

Committee member Williamson called the case a "fiasco" and Nifong's actions involved "dishonesty, fraud, deceit and misrepresentation." Williamson further stated, "At the time he was facing a primary, and yes, he was politically naive, but we can draw no other conclusion that those initial statements he made were to further his political ambitions." In the end, the panel concluded that "there is no discipline short of disbarment appropriate in this case given the magnitude of the offenses found."[69]

Nifong immediately surrendered his law license and said he would not appeal; through his attorney, he said that disbarment was an appropriate punishment. Nifong is the first sitting district attorney in the history of North Carolina to be disbarred.[70] Earlier in the day, Nifong offered to voluntarily surrender his law license. However, Williamson said that the panel had to issue a ruling, and issued its disbarment order shortly thereafter.[71] The disbarment order will take effect 30 days after Nifong receives the order in writing.[72] Under North Carolina law, Nifong will not be eligible to regain his license until 2012.

In addition to being disbarred, Nifong may face civil and criminal liability for his conduct. Indeed, immediately after the hearing, lawyers for the three players said they will seek to have Nifong held in criminal contempt of court for his false statements.[73] They also said that calls for a federal civil rights investigation into the matter weren't out of line.[74]The players' attorneys have called for an independent investigation into the case, and Cooper is considering whether to open a criminal probe into the affair.[75]

The players' attorneys said on June 18 that their clients are very likely to file a civil suit against Nifong to recover their legal expenses and restore their reputations. It is not known how much they can recover. Nifong has no income aside from his salary as DA, and public records indicate that he has no significant assets other than his home in Durham, real estate in western North Carolina and retirement accounts.[76] According to The News and Observer, the players have racked up $3 million in legal bills.[73]

On June 18, Nifong submitted his resignation to Governor Easley and Durham County Chief Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson, saying he will leave office on July 13. Hudson said that Nifong should have resigned immediately, saying that defense attorneys could challenge Nifong's authority. Easley, a former prosecutor and state attorney general, also felt that Nifong should have resigned immediately.[72]

However, Easley will not be able to remove Nifong from office until the State Bar formally issues its order of disbarment. The bill also requires the governor to wait until the attorney or judge's appeals have been exhausted, but as mentioned above, Nifong has said he will not appeal the disbarment. It is not clear whether his resignation letter is formal notice that he will not appeal.[77]

Early on June 19, Hudson issued an order suspending Nifong from office with pay. Under North Carolina law, this was the first step in a process that allows the chief judge of a county to remove that county's district attorney from office. Hudson also appointed a Raleigh attorney as special prosecutor to oversee the removal proceeding.[78] A Durham resident had asked Hudson to remove Nifong in February on the grounds that Nifong engaged in willful misconduct and brought disrepute upon his office--two of the criteria for removing a district attorney from office. This process has been used only once before, when the district attorney for New Hanover and Pender counties was removed from office in 1995 for making a racial slur.[79] Hudson delayed acting on it, however, pending the bar's decision.[80]

On June 20, Nifong began talks with the special prosecutor about the possibility of leaving office immediately.[81] But later that day, Easley appointed Jim Hardin, Nifong's predecessor, as acting district attorney. This came hours after Easley signed a bill that would allow the governor to remove a district attorney or judge from office if he or she has been disbarred or suspended from practicing law.[82] Easley strongly supported the bill, which unanimously passed both houses of the legislature. [1]

Easley had already let it be known that he would have removed Nifong from office immediately if he'd had the power to do so. It had been unclear how soon Easley could have removed Nifong under this new law. The bill does not allow a governor to remove a DA or judge until all appeals have been exhausted. However, as mentioned above, Nifong had said he would not appeal.

Hardin was sworn in the next day, and will serve for at least two months while Easley interviews someone to fill out the first half of Nifong's term. Negotiations are still technically underway between Nifong and the special prosecutor,[83], and Hudson is proceeding with the hearing to remove him for good.[84]However, according to a spokesman for the state's Administrative Office of the Courts, Nifong's tenure as DA ended with Hardin's swearing-in.[1]

On June 22, the players' lawyers filed their promised motion asking Superior Court Judge Osmond Smith, who presided over the case, to hold Nifong in contempt. The players also want Nifong to pay for the 60 to 100 hours it took to prove that he misrepresented the DNA evidence. It charges that Nifong violated at least a dozen laws, rules and court orders designed to protect defendants' rights by playing "a game of hide and seek and seek and seek" with evidence that could have cleared the players. It also alleged that Nifong's misconduct "shocks the conscience and defies any notion of accident or negligence." Earlier in June, Smith had filed papers stating that he retained control over the case even though the charges had been dismissed, and has the power to impose his own sanctions against Nifong.[85]

The North Carolina bar filed an ethics complaint against him for "conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation"[26] while "Defense attorneys, legal experts and even longtime colleagues [...] rais[ed] serious questions about [his] judgment and integrity."[86] The North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys called for Nifong to recuse himself from the case and to turn it over to another prosecutorial authority.[87] On January 12, 2007, Nifong sent a letter to North Carolina Attorney General Roy A. Cooper asking to be recused from the case and for the Attorney General's office to appoint a special prosecutor to take over the case.[88] On January 24, 2007, the North Carolina bar filed a second round of ethics charges[89] against Nifong for a "systematic abuse of prosecutorial discretion ... prejudicial to the administration of justice" when he withheld DNA evidence, thereby misleading the court.[29] On June 16, a disciplinary committee unanimously voted to disbar Nifong.

The day before, in the midst of the State Bar hearing, Nifong announced that he would resign as district attorney, "irrespective" of how the ethics proceedings came out. After deliberation had begun, Nifong offered to voluntarily surrender his law license and indicated he would not appeal any punishment imposed by the Hearing Commission.[90] Nifong informed Gov. Mike Easley (who will appoint his replacement) that he would resign effective July 13. [91] But on June 19, a judge ordered Nifong suspended. [78] The next day, Easley, using authority granted him earlier in the day, removed Nifong from office by appointing an acting DA to run the office until a permanent replacement can be named.[92]

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b Hardin Sworn in as New Durham DA. WRAL. June 21 2007
  2. ^ a b c d Lacrosse files show gaps in DA's case. The News & Observer. 6 August 2006.
  3. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20060423084812/http://www.ncdistrictattorney.org/mikenifong/your_district_attorney.htm
  4. ^ Julia Lewis; et al. "WRAL.com". Lacrosse Team Defense Attorneys Speak Out About Rape Allegations. WRAL. {{cite web}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ ""ABC News"". "Duke Lacrosse Scandal Sheds New Light on the Stripper Industry: A Campus Trend?". Retrieved 4 November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ a b c d Duke Rape Suspects Speak Out. 60 Minutes. 15 Oct 2006.
  7. ^ a b c d Kristof, Nicholas. "Jocks and Prejudice". The New York Times. 11 June 2006 Cite error: The named reference "Jocks_And_Prejudice" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b c Brooks, David. "The Duke Witch Hunt" The New York Times. 28 May 2006 Cite error: The named reference "Duke_Witch Hunt_details" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  9. ^ Prosecutorial Indiscretion. Washington Post. 31 December 2006.
  10. ^ Duke case. L.A. Times. 26 December 2006.
  11. ^ Beard, Aaron (October 27 2006). "Prosecutor Yet to Interview Rape Accuser". Associated Press. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ DA's critics ask bar, feds to intervene. The News & Observer. December 3 2006.
  13. ^ Inquiry of Nifong eyed over lacrosse, Durham Herald-Sun, 12 December 2006.
  14. ^ Nifong Probe Possible, U.S. Attorney General Says. Wral.com. 17 December 2006.
  15. ^ Neff, Joseph (2007-03-14). "Quest to convict hid a lack of evidence". The News and Observer. Retrieved 2007-04-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  16. ^ Niolet, Benjamin (May 3 2006). "Nifong prevails in DA race". The News & Observer. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Sowell, Thomas, The Real Issue at Duke, townhall.com, Jan 2, 2007.
  18. ^ Cheek stumps in DA race. News & Observer. 13 October 2006.
  19. ^ Duke rape charges dropped. Associated Press. 22 December 2006.
  20. ^ Duke rape charges dropped. Associated Press. 22 December 2006.
  21. ^ Lacrosse players `Nifonged'. The Charlotte Observer 28 December 2006.
  22. ^ http://abcnews.go.com/US/LegalCenter/story?id=2791514. ABC News. 12 January 2007.
  23. ^ a b Lacrosse Defense: Accuser's Story Changes Again. WRAL.com. 11 January 2007.
  24. ^ a b Accuser changes story in lacrosse case. The News & Observer. 11 January 2007.
  25. ^ "Prosecutor Mike Nifong Removed From Duke Case". WCBS-TV New York. 2007-01-13. Retrieved 2007-01-14.
  26. ^ a b c N.C. bar files ethics charges against Duke lacrosse prosecutor. Associated Press. 28 December 2006. Cite error: The named reference "NCBAR" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  27. ^ State Bar Files Ethics Complaint Against Mike Nifong. WRAL.com. 28 December 2006.
  28. ^ http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/duke/ncbnifong12407cmp.html].Digital image of 33 page Amended Complaint, as filed.
  29. ^ a b N.C. state bar files more ethics charges against Duke lacrosse prosecutor. Associated Press. 24 January 2007.
  30. ^ Brief in Opposition To Motion To Dismiss. The North Carolina State Bar. 19 March 2007.
  31. ^ State Bar Says Nifong Skirted System in Handling of Duke Lacrosse Case. WRAL.com. 20 Mar 2007
  32. ^ Duke Prosecutor Goes on Trial for Misconduct
  33. ^ http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/06/16/sports/duke.1-76865.php
  34. ^ http://www.miamiherald.com/856/story/142075.html
  35. ^ http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1509633/
  36. ^ As Duke rape case unravels, D.A.'s judgment questioned: Defense describes him as willing to skirt law for conviction. San Francisco Chronicle. 24 December 2006.
  37. ^ Nifong's move. The News & Observer. 23 December 2006.
  38. ^ Rape, Justice, and the ‘Times’. New York Magazine. 16 October 2006.
  39. ^ Prosecutorial Indiscretion. Washington Post. 31 December 2006.
  40. ^ The Duke Case. The Washington Times. 27 December 2006.
  41. ^ Duke case. L.A. Times. 26 December 2006.
  42. ^ The Duke Three should go free. New York Daily News. 29 December 2006.
  43. ^ Investigate the investigation. The Charlotte Observer. 23 December 2006.
  44. ^ The prosecutor is guilty. The Star-Ledger. 30 December 2006.
  45. ^ Just who's guilty?. The San Diego Union Tribune. 30 December 2006.
  46. ^ North Carolina's out-of-control DA. Rocky Mountain News. 3 January 2007.
  47. ^ Nifong begins retreat from Duke rape case. Greensboro News-Record. 23 December 2006.
  48. ^ Add another DA to the sorry list. Wilmington Star. 21 December 2006.
  49. ^ Biesecker, Michael. Niolet, Benjamin. Neff, Joseph. "DA on the spot for comments". The News & Observer. 22 April 2006.
  50. ^ Niolet, Benjamin. "Spotlight is new place for Nifong".The News & Observer. 20 April 2006.
  51. ^ "Duke suspends lacrosse team from play amid rape allegations". USA Today. 28 March 2006.
  52. ^ Niolet, Benjamin. "Spotlight is new place for Nifong".The News & Observer. 20 April 2006.
  53. ^ Attorneys infuriated by DA's remarks. Herald Sun. 18 July 2006.
  54. ^ Duke lacrosse rape prosecutor says he hasn't discussed the case with accuser. Associated Press. 27 Oct 2006.
  55. ^ a b Key DNA Evidence in Duke Rape Case Withheld From Defense for Six Months, Lawyers Charge. Fox News. 13 December 2006.
  56. ^ Paternity Test Ordered in Duke Lacrosse Rape Case. WRAL.com. 15 December 2006.
  57. ^ Lab director withheld DNA information. The Chronicle. 15 December 2006.
  58. ^ State Bar Files Ethics Complaint Against Mike Nifong. WRAL.com. 28 December 2006.
  59. ^ Setrakian, Lara (2007-01-12). "DA in Duke Rape Case Asks to Be Taken off Case". ABC News. Retrieved 2007-04-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  60. ^ Brief in Opposition To Motion To Dismiss. The North Carolina State Bar. 19 March 2007.
  61. ^ State Bar Says Nifong Skirted System in Handling of Duke Lacrosse Case. WRAL.com. 20 Mar 2007
  62. ^ Duke lacrosse prosecutor disbarred CNN.com 16 June 2007.
  63. ^ Duke Case: Failure of Procedure. NewsMax Media. 9 August 2006.
  64. ^ "66th Annual Peabody Awards Winners Announced" (Press release). Peabody Award. 2007-04-04. Retrieved 2007-04-07. CBS` "60 Minutes" won for "The Duke Rape Case," an Ed Bradley-led investigation of rape allegations against Duke University lacrosse players that stood widespread assumptions – and the prosecution's case – on their heads. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  65. ^ Taylor, Stuart Jr. "Witness for the Prosecution?" Slate. 28 August 2006.
  66. ^ Shafer, Jack. "Trial By Newspaper" Slate 20 April 2006
  67. ^ Pressure on Nifong in Duke case: Misstatements may cost him his career, The News & Observer 24 December 2006
  68. ^ a b The real issue at Duke, Part I and Part II by Thomas Sowell
  69. ^ a b State Bar verdict on Nifong
  70. ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/16/AR2007061600130.html
  71. ^ Cite error: The named reference DukeChronicle was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  72. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Resigletter was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  73. ^ a b Benjamin, Niolet (2007-6-18). "Easley awaiting Nifong resignation". News and Observer. Retrieved 2007-06-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  74. ^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19264396/
  75. ^ http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-06-17-nifong_N.htm?csp=34
  76. ^ http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/164122.html
  77. ^ http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/166625.html
  78. ^ a b Anne, Blythe (2007-6-19). "Durham judge suspends Nifong". News and Observer. Retrieved 2007-06-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  79. ^ http://www.newsobserver.com/front/story/541778.html
  80. ^ http://www.newsobserver.com/145/story/542572.html
  81. ^ http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/610709.html
  82. ^ http://www.wxii12.com/news/13539538/detail.html
  83. ^ http://www.newsobserver.com/news/crime_safety/duke_lacrosse/nifong/story/611920.html
  84. ^ http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-06-25-nifong-removal_N.htm
  85. ^ Anne, Blythe (2007-6-22). "Contempt accusations loom". News and Observer. Retrieved 2007-06-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  86. ^ Attorneys Question Handling of Duke Case. WRAL.com. 28 December 2006 and he was subsequently disbarred on June 16, 2007.
  87. ^ http://www.wral.com/news/state/flash/1121238/ (flash)
  88. ^ http://abcnews.go.com/US/LegalCenter/story?id=2791514. ABC News. 12 January 2007.
  89. ^ http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/duke/ncbnifong12407cmp.html].Digital image of 33 page Amended Complaint, as filed.
  90. ^ Graham, David (June 16 2007). "State Bar finds Nifong guilty on 27 counts of misconduct". The Duke Chronicle. Retrieved 2007-06-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  91. ^ http://www.newsobserver.com/news/crime_safety/duke_lacrosse/story/608153.html
  92. ^ Lynn, Bonner (2007-6-20). "Durham judge suspends Nifong". News and Observer. Retrieved 2007-06-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

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