INNOCENT: DPD Panel can subpoena

"... these three individuals [David Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann,] are innocent of these charges."

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, Apr. 11, 2007
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Here’s some important news reported June 12 by the Durham Herald Sun:

Should it become necessary, officials will subpoena witnesses called by the committee appointed to investigate the Durham Police Department's handling of the Duke lacrosse case, City Attorney Henry Blinder said Monday.

The investigating committee lacks subpoena powers of its own, but Durham's charter gives the City Council and the city manager full authority to conduct investigations, subpoena witnesses and gather sworn testimony, Blinder said.

Pending discussions between city lawyers and investigation chairman Willis Whichard will determine "the most efficient way to have that [power] exercised" on the committee's behalf, Blinder said.

There was some question before this report as to whether the panel would be able to subpoena witnesses. This story appears to clear that matter up.

Although the H-S doesn’t mention it, I’m sure it mattered that Whichard is a former Justice of the NC Supreme Court and Dean of the Law School at Campbell University.