"... these three individuals [David Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann,] are innocent of these charges."
North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, Apr. 11, 2007
___________________________________________________
A commenter at the Raleigh News & Observer’s Editors’ Blog thinks Justice Whichard is in a jam:
Willis P. Whichard, chair [of the panel charged by Durham’s Mayor and City Council with investigating police conduct that led to the arrest and indictment of three innocent men,] is in a jam. His problem is whether to roll over and participate in a cover-up of the Duke Lacrosse frame or do the right thing by helping expose the Durham Police Department’s complicity.What do you folks think?
Mr. Whichard is a former State Supreme Court Justice and member of the NC Senate and House. By all accounts, he’s reputable and has an admirable public service record. At age 67, his legacy would seem secure.
One hopes Mr. Whichard doesn’t throw away what he’s earned by not doing his duty. Recent revelations from depositions made for Mike Nifong’s State Bar trial seem to show a conspiracy between him and the Durham PD. Mike Nifong didn’t frame those three young men by himself - he obviously had help from some in the police department. The public needs to know who it was and why it was done.
Sincerely,
Walter Abbott
Ruston, LA
I’m planning to post often concerning the Whichard Panel. In fact, I hope to have a post up later tonight.
I welcome your comments and suggestions.
14 comments:
What real authority does Mr. Whichard have? And what kind of staff? Look at how city of Durham council members stacked the committee. If he thinks he can accomplish something, he should proceed. If not, he should quit and denounce this panel for the sham that it is. The city of Durham and its corrupt police department need to be exposed. It will take attorney general Cooper and/or the feds to do this.
I agree with Mr. Abbott that Whichard is in a difficult position but surely he realizes the scrutiny he will be subjected to. He or any member of the panel who participates in a cover up, will do so at their own peril. If they are prevented from doing a proper investigation, those who are the cause will then be excoriated. There are too many people watching for everything to just be swept under the proverbial rug. I hope.
Can Whichard stand up to the Durham cops?
That's what Abbott is asking.
That's what I'm asking.
Who knows with Durham.
Why haven't criminal charges been brought against Gottlieb?
There is antidotal evidence that individuals have trouble punishing peers or people they work with. The DA’s office and the DPD are really a small community. Over the years they go from just professionals in their field to friends. You go to conferences; you go to each other’s offices: there are celebrations; maybe there’s soccer; or church; or farmer’s market. You get to know wives and children and their parents. You wonder what will happen to them. You wonder “Could I have gotten caught up in this?”
My husband was a police polygrapher for many years. He said that most everyone had secrets. There was one judge who was often driven home in a cruiser because of his drinking habit. There was an ADA who was a terrible womanizer. Others had expensive meals with wives or friends comp’ed. The city was about the same size as Durham.
I know nothing about Mr. Whichard. I do hope he follows the evidence wherever it leads. I hope that he draws a line in the sand that says breaking the law will not be tolerated in the DPD or the DA’s office. While the whole country is watching, he has the opportunity to help restore the damage that was done by Mr. Nifong and others. I wish him well
What is antidotal evidence?
I am troubled that Mr. Abbott's letter to the Raleigh N&O was NOT published in the newspaper. I am grateful to have found the "world of blogs" but let's face it, blogs are not public media. And Mr. Abbott's letter was certainly deserving of being published IN THE PAPER.
I'm beginning to wonder if there isn't room for a new newpaper in the Triangle Area that will actually publish the news and the unvarnished truth. Could it be that the Duke Hoax could actually become the catalyst for some desperately needed changes at Duke, in Durham, and even the media???
It is going to take some very courageous people in all those streams.
Pray God that Whichard can be one of those.
dsl/ nc
Ask the publisher, Mr. Quarles, and the editorial page editor, Mr. Ford, why the letter wasn't published in the newspaper.
John - To many of the posters on other blogs are so angry, short sighted, intent on being superior and entrenched in their opinions. If the good Lord, let alone Mr Whichard put out a report, they would dispute it. The posters goal is to crucify everyone at Duke and Durham. I believe Mr, Whichard is looking for the truth.
I believe Nifong did all this himself. The DPD got out of the event ASAP. The rest was Nifong's statements and court appearances. Joe Cheshire stated " Very difficult for a local lawyer to go against the DA." Can not be less difficult for the police.
The DPD was obligated to investigate the rape claim. The DNa was the best way to establish quilt or innocence. Nifong took this event to the moon, for votes and election.
Whichare is not in a jam...yet. He is in a dilemma. If he doesn't keep everything out on the table and behave with honesty and wisdom, he will be in a jam of huge proportions.
"Decide, Jones, decide! Until you decide, you are only occupying space!" ( Atticus Finch in "To Kill A Mockingbird")
Whichard has the opportunity to make history for himself and be a force for good and restoration of law.
It is his choice.
Over the years Mr. Whichard has dealt with many situations that included intense feelings, important people, and sharp animosity. He did a good job, fairminded and with integrity. He will do that again. He will not be pushed around by the police, the committee, or by us. This comment is not to argue that he always is right in his judgment, but his judgment will not be the product of pressure or of trying to please everyone.
Re: 9:23
Are we to assume that you have been privy to the deliberations/ and decisions made by Judge Whichard? Or is this just a fan's opinion?
I am truly hoping that you are one who KNOWS and can confidently reassure. If truth is the rule of the day, everybody can rest easy.
However, I found this blog quite by accident when I was searching for TRUTH about the HOAX. I believe that if/ when justice eventually grinds out the full circle of this matter, many people will have this and similar bloggers to thank. As far as I can tell, it is the ONLY place where people have held the feet of the hoaxters to the fire of accountability.
I cannot imagine what would have happened in this situation, up to now, if it had not been for people like John and KC Johnson, and others. I don't know them. But someday I would like to meet them in person.
I don't hold a candle to their intellectual dissections and dogged pursuit of truth.
I am learning so much from John's Churchill series, and have turned other family members on to it.
But we are in a new era of information management and I am coming to see how citizen-bloggers can play a vital role in shaping public opinion and pursuing truth.
dsl/ nc
How could the retired Judge be in a jam? He is grateful to have something important to do. He has no personal interest in the outcome. No one is stopping his Social Security or pension, whatever the outcome. The bloggers help this case, but the five million dollars and the best attorneys in NC stopped Nifong. Lets not get above ourselves.
Post a Comment