Ethics Case Against Durham DA Begins

A North Carolina bar prosecutor said in opening arguments today that Durham District Attorney Michael Nifong intentionally concealed evidence in his prosecution of three Duke lacrosse players.

Nifong is accused of withholding DNA tests showing genetic material on a woman who said she had been raped did not match that of the defendants. He is also accused of lying to the media, knowing it could prejudice the investigation, and making false statements to judges about the case, the Washington Times reports.

Charges against the men have been dismissed. Nifong could be disbarred if he loses the ethics case. His attorney contends he committed no intentional ethics violations.

Jun 12, 2007 8:24 PM CDT

S.C. Files High Court Suit in Water Dispute

In the midst of a drought, South Carolina has filed an original lawsuit in the U.S. Supreme Court over a water dispute with North Carolina.

The dispute is over North Carolina’s plans to pump millions of gallons of water each day from the Catawba River for two Charlotte suburbs, according to Associated Press.

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster says he will ask Congress to intervene if the Supreme Court declines the case.

Jun 8, 2007 5:29 PM CDT

CA Atty Gen’l Eyes De Anza Rape Case

In the controversial rape case originally filed against three former Duke University lacrosse players last year, a North Carolina prosecutor went too far too quickly, relying on flimsy evidence at best, most observers now agree. But, in the wake of the public furor over the dismissal of the unfounded charges…

Jun 6, 2007 9:40 PM CDT

NC Court Battle Over Taking Oath on Quran

Putting one’s hand on the Bible to swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth is a relic of history in most American courtrooms today. But not in North Carolina, where the Christian holy book is still routinely handed to witnesses as they are about…

May 9, 2007 2:29 AM CDT

Report: Lethal Injection Cocktail Flawed

A scientific analysis concludes drugs used in lethal injections can cause excruciating pain. The drug cocktail is supposed to make the inmate unconscious before his muscles are paralyzed and death is induced. But sometimes the inmate remains alert but paralyzed, so he is unable to cry out in pain. The…

Apr 24, 2007 3:39 PM CDT

Exonerated Duke Defendant: D.A. Should Resign

One of three former Duke lacrosse players declared earlier this week to be innocent of accusations of having raped a stripper at a team party is calling for the resignation of the Durham, N.C., district attorney who initially handled the prosecution. Colin Finnerty, through his lawyer, has asked state officials…

Apr 18, 2007 8:41 PM CDT

Duke Prosecutor Could Face Criminal Investigation

North Carolina’s attorney general says the original prosecutor in the Duke University sexual assault case could face a criminal investigation. “We believe that these cases were the result of a tragic rush to accuse and a failure to verify serious allegations,” says state Attorney General Roy Cooper, quoted in a…

Apr 12, 2007 3:24 PM CDT

Rape Charges Against Duke Players Dismissed

Prosecutors have dismissed all remaining charges against three Duke University lacrosse players accused of sexually assaulting a stripper at a team party, the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office announced this afternoon. It took over the case after the local district attorney in Durham, N.C. was accused of ethics violations. Attorney…

Apr 11, 2007 8:19 PM CDT

4th Circuit Allows Harassment Suit Againt Coach

A federal appeals court has ruled that a sexual harassment lawsuit may proceed against a soccer coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Plaintiff Melissa Jennings claims coach Anson Dorrance had degrading, sex-oriented discussions, the News and Observer reports. In an en banc ruling, the Richmond, Va.-based…

Apr 10, 2007 1:57 PM CDT

Bare-Ly Boating

Risqué Revelers Forgo Family Fare While Crashing Holiday Parade

Jan 25, 2005 11:00 AM CST

Making Brown Real

A North Carolina Family Fought Threats and Intimidation After Suing to Integrate Schools

Apr 1, 2004 9:25 PM CST