"He's already out there," Williamson said. "He's way out there by then. He looks foolish if he does not go forward." One
of the most serious ethics violations Nifong was found to have
committed involved his failure to turn over DNA test results that
identified genetic material from several men - but no members of the
lacrosse team - in the accuser's underwear and body. In court
documents and hearings in May, June and September, Nifong told two
different judges that he had no more evidence that could be considered
helpful to the defense. Nifong said he didn't realize the defense
hadn't been given all the DNA test results until December - a
suggestion Williamson found laughable. "He knew. He admits he
knew," Williamson said during Nifong attorney Dudley Witt's closing
argument. "How could he not know if he had read it? How could he not
know?" Witt admitted his client made "multiple, egregious
mistakes." He insisted none were made intentionally, but struggled to
offer another explanation. "It didn't click," Witt said as he
tried to explain away one of Nifong's errors. "His mind is just his
mind. That's the way it works. It just didn't click." Along
with accusing Nifong of withholding the DNA evidence and making
misleading and inflammatory comments about the three athletes, the
North Carolina State Bar said he lied to both the court and bar
investigators. The committee found Nifong broke the state's rules of
professional conduct more than two dozen times. "I would say
there are no winners in this scenario," said Kevin Finnerty, Collin's
father. "With that said, I think there's closure. I think it's
appropriate and I think it's justice. "I think he brought it on himself." The
players' defense attorneys have pledged to seek criminal contempt
charges next week in Durham from a judge who has already reminded
Nifong he has the authority to impose punishment. They suggested the
calls for a federal civil rights investigation were not out of line. "I don't think any of us are done with Mr. Nifong yet," said Jim Cooney, Seligmann's attorney. Nifong
declined to comment Saturday, but his attorney had announced earlier -
after the committee concluded he broke the rules - that Nifong
considered disbarment an appropriate punishment. Nifong had already
pledged to resign his $110,000-a-year job as district attorney, and he
will not appeal. "He hopes this helps restore some of the
confidence in the criminal justice system of North Carolina," said his
attorney David Freedman. "On one hand, it's very devastating. On the
other hand, he's been going through this process for a long time, so
you always have some semblance of relief when the process is over with
regardless of the outcome." That was perhaps never more
apparent than Friday, when 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." The comment enraged the players' defense attorneys,
and sent the mother of one player into the hallway outside the
courtroom in tears. Williamson took special care Saturday to note that
even though Nifong had apologized to the players and volunteered to
give up his law license, he remains unable to agree that no lacrosse
player committed a crime. "In the face of a declaration of
innocence by the attorney general of North Carolina, it appears the
defendant still believes the facts to be one way and the world now
knows that is not the case," Williamson said.
Time and time again, Mike Nifong strode into court and confidently proclaimed that three Duke lacrosse players raped a woman at a team party. He smirked when anyone suggested otherwise. - By AARON BEARD
Shop Latest Disciplinary committee disbars Duke lacrosse prosecutor; says he broke ethics rules Merchandise
Shop Disciplinary committee disbars Duke lacrosse prosecutor; says he broke ethics rules merchandise including latest Disciplinary committee disbars Duke lacrosse prosecutor; says he broke ethics rules collectibles, Disciplinary committee disbars Duke lacrosse prosecutor; says he broke ethics rules memorabilia and more cool Disciplinary committee disbars Duke lacrosse prosecutor; says he broke ethics rules merchandise. Shop an awesome selection of Disciplinary committee disbars Duke lacrosse prosecutor; says he broke ethics rules merchandise including hats, jerseys, sweatshirts, T-shirts and fan gifts.
Authentic Disciplinary committee disbars Duke lacrosse prosecutor; says he broke ethics rules merchandise store with licensed Disciplinary committee disbars Duke lacrosse prosecutor; says he broke ethics rules merchandise for men, women, kids, youth, infant and baby. FansLogon has College Merchandise and Disciplinary committee disbars Duke lacrosse prosecutor; says he broke ethics rules Big & Tall merchandise in XL sizes (XXL, 3XL, 4XL, and up). Save money with cheap Disciplinary committee disbars Duke lacrosse prosecutor; says he broke ethics rules merchandise and discount Disciplinary committee disbars Duke lacrosse prosecutor; says he broke ethics rules merchandise, accessories and gifts for every Disciplinary committee disbars Duke lacrosse prosecutor; says he broke ethics rules fanatic... including babies!
| 
Add this Page to your Favorites 
QUICK LINKS
