Newmark: Remove Nifong now

Betsy Newmark today explains why Durham DA Mike Nifong "shouldn’t be allowed to continue doing who knows what other damage to our legal system.” Betsy’s concerned not only with the injustices Nifong’s inflicted on three innocent young men but with what he’s doing to others as well:

The question for North Carolina legal officials should be whether such a man should continue to have the power over indicting and prosecuting alleged criminals in Durham County.

If he is violating procedures and lying in court about his collusion with the DNA lab to hide evidence from the defense in a very public trial such as this one, imagine what he might be doing in all the other cases in Durham where there aren't the glare of the national press and highly paid defense lawyers to expose his malfeasance.

Yes, he won election. But whether it should be the North Carolina bar, the North Carolina Justice officials, or the United States Justice Department, this man shouldn't be allowed to continue doing who knows what other damage to our legal system.

There shouldn't be a delay to wait for the outcome of the trial. In the interests of providing a fair system to all who might be caught up in the legal system in Durham, he should be removed from all cases until he is either cleared or prosecuted himself.

Just think what would happen if he were prosecuted and disbarred a year or so from now. Everyone who had been prosecuted by his office in the interim would have grounds for appeal. Get him out of there now. (bold added)

I hope you read the entire post, “How much longer should Mike Nifong be in power as Durham's District Attorney?”

If you’re not regular Betsy Newmark reader, please take a look around her blog, Betsy’s Place. It’s one I visit daily.

Last item: Betsy’s the “unofficial winner” in Weblog Awards’ 251-500 Best blog category. Result won’t be certified until Monday but voting has ended and Betsy has a solid lead over her nearest competitor in a 10 blog field. ( unofficial count: Betsy’s Place 1353 - Flopping Aces 1040)

I’ll post separately on the Best “race” later today.