Durham, N.C.
In a case that has sparked daily protests and raised racial tensions at Duke University, two white lacrosse players were arrested this week and charged with raping a black stripper who performed at a team party. District Attorney Mike Nifong said a third student could also be charged. Defense lawyers argued that the case should have been dropped, because DNA tests at the scene turned up no evidence that any sex took place at the party last month. But Nifong said the alleged victim’s testimony was compelling and that authorities had physical evidence of a crime. Lawyers for the two defendants, sophomores Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann, said Nifong was pandering to local voters in an election year. “We are confident these young men will be found to be innocent,” said attorney Bill Cotter.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Fannie Flagg’s 6 favorite books that sparked her imaginationFeature The author recommends works by Johanna Spyri, John Steinbeck, and more
-
Google: A monopoly past its prime?Feature Google’s antitrust case ends with a slap on the wrist as courts struggle to keep up with the tech industry’s rapid changes
-
Patrick Hemingway: The Hemingway son who tended to his father’s legacyFeature He was comfortable in the shadow of his famous father, Ernest Hemingway
