Friday, June 09, 2006

The Duke lacrosse players’ “privileges”

We keep hearing how “privileged” the Duke Men’s lacrosse players are.

So what are their privileges?

Well, N. C. Superior Court Judge Ronald Stephens, Durham DA Mike Nifong, the Durham Police Department and an exotic dancer all worked together to make sure the lacrosse players were given DNA testing by the DPD.

And it looks like a lot of “exceptions” were made so the players could get their DNA testing.

I mean, who believes the treatment the players received from police, Nifong and Stephens is the same kind of treatment they give ordinary citizens every day?

You don’t believe that, do you?

The DPD also took mug shot photos of all 46 white players on the team stripped to their waists and with their arms extended.

That’s something I can’t recall the DPD ever doing for any another group, not even the Durham City Council.

But I can tell you this: Many citizens don’t like what they’re hearing about the “privileges” accorded the Duke lacrosse players.

That’s because the “privileges” don’t seem at all like privileges.

They seem to intelligent and fair-minded citizens more like parts of a grave miscarriage of justice in which some people in authority colluded and misled others, including the public.

It will be very interesting to learn what Judge Stephens thinks now that he knows much more than he knew when he issued his order for the players to submit to DNA testing.

Let’s hope Stephens doesn’t keep the public waiting too long.

Meanwhile, has anyone heard anything from DA Nifong lately?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

It had to have been great working for RR in the DOD.

-AC

Anonymous said...

How about being asked to leave school right before exams?

Having your name polluted by an out of control prosecutor?

Wow, sign me up!

-AC

Anonymous said...

John, you are missed over at the N&O Editors Blog.I, however, continue to linger on the front lines. Ms. Sill has gotten more wily of late. She now posts on frivolous topics like the "Beach" and then, deletes those of us who dare to return to that papers crucifixtion of the Lacrosse players.

I have called her on this tactic today and accused her of creating her own Blue Wall of Silence. I would so appreciate support from you and others by posting there this weekend. She needs to know we are not going to be maniputed into silence.

I have also begun posting on Ruth's Metro Blog. Hope to see some of you there as well. Till then, my new mantra is:

SAVE DURHAM/INDICT NIFONG

Anonymous said...

I don't look for Judge Stephens to do the right thing.

His 50,000 bail for a murder the other day and his grandstanding with the comments made to the LAX players.

Non-action to the cursing and "Dead Man Walking" comments.

And he used to work with Nifong and they are friends.

Stephens has to face election in Durham at some point also.

Anonymous said...

I first say John's comments on the N&O board also.

He was awesome.

What is scary is that Nifong might get away with the whole thing. If no change of venue, I think conviction is even likely.

I work in Durham and you don't bring it up with some people. It's an explosive issue.