To suggest [the indicted players] were well behaved: Hitler never beat his wife either. So what?
--“The Situation,” 5 June 2006
I bet one or more of the players was, you know, molested or something as a child.
--“CNN Live,” 3 May 2006
I never, ever met a false rape claim, by the way. My own statistics speak to the truth.
--“The Situation,” 5 June 2006
Three elements of this case distinguish it from its high-profile criminal counterparts. First, the behavior and statements of the students’ own professors were cited as grounds for a change of venue—an action all but unprecedented in modern American criminal law. Second, blogs have played an important (and, I would argue, helpful) role. Third, the 24-hour cable news networks seized upon the case from the start, and have continued commentary more sporadically thereafter.
Sometimes, these shows have offered quality commentary—the “Abrams Report” early on, some broadcasts of “Greta” in recent weeks. Often, however, these programs feature little more than talking heads, with one adopting a pro-prosecution slant and another praising the defense.
A frequent guest on MSNBC, FOX, and CBS has been Wendy Murphy. Usually described as a former “sex crimes prosecutor” and law professor at
Murphy’s bizarre claims to USA Today prompted me to perform a Lexis/Nexis search of her myriad case-related appearances. The results were deeply disturbing. In addition to the outrageous quotes highlighted above, on at least 18 occasions over the past nine months, Murphy has made demonstrably untrue statements. She also has engaged in a pattern of wholly unfounded speculation and has routinely denigrated due process.
Given that the preamble to the Massachusetts State Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct states that “a lawyer is a representative of clients, an officer of the legal system, and a public citizen having special responsibility for the quality of justice,” Murphy’s behavior raises some serious questions:
- What sort of network would put such a figure on the air?
- How could the Massachusetts Bar license such a figure to practice law?
- How could Dean John O’Brien of New England School of Law allow such a figure to teach future lawyers?
Untrue Statements
Section 3 of the Preamble to the Massachusetts State Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct states: “As a member of a learned profession, a lawyer should cultivate knowledge of the law beyond its use for clients, employ that knowledge in reform of the law, and work to strengthen legal education.”
Murphy, on the other hand, has regularly gone on national television and cultivated not knowledge but its opposite, over and over again offering factually inaccurate statements.
1.) (22 December 2006) “One of the reasons I think she should be thought of as fairly credible is that she rejected a 2 million dollar plus offer by people on behalf of Duke at the outset.”
In fact, the accuser told police on June 30 that she had never been offered any money, by anyone, to drop the case.
2.) (1 May 2006) “All the photographs showing how really fine she was when she left scene were doctored, where the date stamp was actually fraudulent.”
In fact, these photographs have been cited in various defense motions, and even Nifong hasn’t challenged their veracity.
3.) (11 April 2006) “You know, these guys actually . . . some of them have been, according to neighbors, reportedly been involved in not only carousing activity but other sexual offenses.”
I am aware of no statement, by any neighbor, accusing any of the players of involvement in “other sexual offenses”; the Coleman Committee Report established that they had no such records.
4.) (19 April 2006) “All of them took the Fifth. All of them refused to cooperate. All of them refused to give a DNA sample, until the court produced an order compelling them to do so.”
In fact, Dave Evans, Dan Flannery, and Matt Zash gave multi-hour statements to the police, voluntarily gave DNA samples, and offered to take lie-detector tests. No player has invoked the Fifth Amendment at any point in this case.
5.) (17 April 2006) “These kinds of [photo] time stamps . . . could be off by a wide margin. But it’s important to note here the other woman involved here has heard this spin, if you will, by the defense, and has said ‘That timeline is way off.’”
In fact, while in two early interviews Kim Roberts criticized the players and their attorneys, she never made the statement, or anything resembling it, that Murphy attributed to her.
6.) (19 April 2006) “If you think that I would believe for a minute the spin coming out of one of these defense attorneys, given their silence around the DNA report, their deafening silence and lawyering up in the immediate aftermath of the crime.”
In fact, most of the players waited more than a week after the party to retain counsel.
7.) (17 April 2006) “Brett and Matt happen to be the real names of two of the captains who lived in that home.”
In fact, the three residents of the house were named Matt Zash, Dan Flannery, and Dave Evans.
8.) (21 April 2006) “It could have helped her, if she had been drunk . . . but she clearly wasn’t.”
In fact, the accuser informed UNC doctors that not only was she drunk, but she followed the dangerous course of consuming alcohol while taking Flexeril, risking side-effects that included badly impaired judgment.
9.) (27 April 2006) “It was because a broom handle was used, which by the way, doesn’t produce DNA when you put it inside someone.”
The search warrant for the lacrosse house contained no mention of a broom; and at no point in her myriad stories did the accuser claim assault by a broom.
10.) (2 May 2006) “The broomstick DNA has not yet been revealed.”
In fact, no “broomstick DNA” exists, since the police never seized a broomstick.
11.) (5 April 2006) “She had a torn genital area.”
In fact, in a recent court filing, even Mike Nifong conceded, “There is no scientific or other evidence independent of the [accuser’s] testimony that would corroborate specifically” a charge of rape.
12.) (24 May 2006) “Over 99 percent of cases indicted are in fact legitimate; the guys are guilty.”
In fact, no credible study exists contending more than 99 percent of people indicted are guilty.
13.) (16 May 2006) Remember, this is the guy [Dave Evans] who the victim said she’s 90 percent certain he assaulted her, and then as it turns out, she also apparently described that she scratched him, and we find his DNA under her fingernails.
In fact, the DNA report could not exclude Evans; no definitive match existed, as Dr. Brian Meehan made clear in his December testimony.
14.) (11 May 2006) “According to
In fact, Richard Brodhead made no statement, of any kind, about the case on March 22; and he never claimed, one way or the other, to possess knowledge on who did or did not attend the party.
15.) (2 May 2006) “She was under the influence of a date rape drug.”
In fact, a toxicology report indicated no such finding.
16.) (13 June 2006) “The defense, very early on, filed a motion--I’ll call it a motion to shut up the prosecutor--so the prosecutor could suffer a suppression of evidence, a motion to dismiss the charges, as punishment for speaking publicly.”
In fact, as this library of defense motion reveals, no such motion exists.
17.) (22 June 2006) “The defense today, if this really is a big hoax, could have said to the judge, in writing or verbally, ‘Judge, I want a trial date ASAP.’ Call it a speedy trial motion; call it whatever you want. They had a right today to ask that this case go to trial immediately. And the whole thing would be over by August.”
In fact,
18.) “And maybe what she said, which makes her particularly credible, is, ‘These guys didn’t ejaculate on or inside of my body,’ which means she deserves extra credibility because no one’s suggesting that she lied about whether there would be DNA found on her person.”
In fact, depending on which story she happened to be telling, the accuser claimed that either one or two of her alleged attackers ejaculated.
The above 18 items involve incorrect statements of fact, not peculiar opinions. Again, I ask:
- What sort of network would put such a figure on the air?
- How could such a figure be licensed to practice law?
- How could New England School of Law, which describes itself as an “educational community characterized by substantive instruction with a strong foundation in ethics,” allow such a figure to teach future lawyers?
Wholly unfounded speculation
Quite beyond her factually inaccurate statements, Murphy has engaged in a pattern of wholly unfounded speculation—imagining evidence that she would have no reason to believe exists, or events that she would have no reason to believe occurred. Examples include:
1.) (19 June 2006) “Let me tell you what I think [Nifong] probably has—statements from some of the players who are probably cooperating because they actually have a conscience and think it matters when you tell the truth. And I bet she has GHB in her blood.”
2.) (26 Dec. 2006) “There’s a good chance a few of [the players] actually saw what happened and may well be cooperating.”
3.) (26 Dec. 2006) “Are there photographs? We know there were before photographs and after photographs. There’s a chance there are during photographs.”
4.) (5 April 2006) The players were “thinking, ‘I was entitled to do this. I’m a member of a wealthy white boy’s school in a community that allow me to do what I want when I want. They’ve gotten away with a lot for a very long time. Why not go home and celebrate?’ . . . The e-mail shows that these guys were of the mind that whatever had happened to this woman was just another day at the beach. They’ll rape her, sodomize her and tomorrow they’ll kill her.”
5.) (6 April 2006) “Either [Coach Mike Pressler] didn’t tell [Duke administrators] the whole truth about what happened, he helped the guys cover up or encouraged it.”
6.) (11 May 2006) “[The accuser] said I’m 100 percent certain it was this guy and that guy. And the third guy I think who’s about to be indicted is apparently named Dan. There are four Dans on the team. I want to put some money on the fact that a Dan will be indicted next week.”
7.) (9 April 2006) “If the DNA isn’t going to match, they wouldn’t need to do this. It’s almost comical that they think a photograph is proof positive that a rape didn’t happen. It’s not a smoking gun. It’s a muddying of the waters.”
8.) (10 April 2006) “What [the players] did was clam up and say, ‘Let’s stick together so we can get away with this.’”
No evidence exists to substantiate any of the above statements.
Denigrating Due Process
Section 3 of the Preamble to the Massachusetts State Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct states the following: “A lawyer should demonstrate respect for the legal system and for those who serve it, including judges, other lawyers, and public officials. While it is a lawyer’s duty, when necessary, to challenge the rectitude of official action, it is also a lawyer’s duty to uphold legal process.”
Murphy, on the other hand, has exhibited what borders on contempt for due process, as the examples below suggest.
1.) (August 7) “How about the defense attorneys shutting up.”
2.) (May 2) “Stop with the presumption of innocence. It doesn’t apply to Duke . . . When they make administrative decisions about student behavior they don’t owe them any due process.”
3.) (May 1) “I’m really tired of people suggesting that you’re somehow un-American if you don’t respect the presumption of innocence, because you know what that sounds like to a victim? Presumption you’re a liar.”
4.) (May 1) “Defense attorneys lie with impunity.”
5.) (April 10) “These guys, like so many rapists—and I’m going to say it because, at this point, she’s entitled to the respect that she is a crime victim.”
Occasionally, Murphy has offered statements that, with passage of time, come across as unintentionally ironic.
On August 7, for instance, she asserted that “the defense attorneys are hiding [DNA reports].” We now know that someone was hiding DNA material—but it wasn’t the defense. And on June 19, she stated, “I want to vote [Nifong] up. Whatever, you know, next rung of the ladder prosecutors can go at, he deserves to be promoted and celebrated.” In light of the state bar’s filing of ethics charges, I doubt many people would consider Nifong a suitable candidate for promotion.
Again, I ask:
· What sort of network would put such a figure on the air?
· How could such a figure be licensed to practice law?
· How could New England School of Law allow such a figure to teach future lawyers?
179 comments:
K.C., I am glad you pointed out that she is adjunct at NELS. Furthermore, it has been several years since she taught a course. I looked her up on the Rate My Professor page, and there were no comments at all.
Given her mouth, you know that if she taught a course recently, people would have an opinion. So, my guess is that she is no more a law professor than I am a college president.
I would like to know her role in prosecutions in Massachusetts. As you know, Massachusetts has real problems with wrongful convictions, and is the place where the Amirault (Fells Acre) bogus child molestation case was held. I think that Murphy might have had something to do with the prosecution, although the main prosecutor was Scott Harshbarger, who later was head of Common Cause.
(I despise Harshbarger and the others in that case. Think of him as a junior Nifong.)
At any rate, you did very well on this one, and I am glad to see you have exposed the woman for the liar that she is. Great job.
Brilliant. Professor Johnson at his finest. If you want actual reporting on the Nifong frame and his enablers, read Durham-in-Wonderland and Joe Neff. That's about it.
JLS said...
She is a clown. That is really the question, does the NELS and the MA bar really want a clown as an instructor or member respecitvely?
Equally disturbing is the lack of balanced coverage by those bloggers who, with such voracity, gouged into the very hearts of the three men back in M/A/M of this year. It's as though people like Murphy and others wanted so badly to have these accusations found true that they were all willing to dismiss the effects of how trampling the rights of individuals bodes poorly for all of us. What should have occurred early on is for Murphy et. al. to have stepped up (not aside) and pronounce this case as just one more example of ill-treatment by rogue law enforecement officials. To apply a quote from an unrelated matter, Murphy and others "never fail to miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity."
But a dangerous clown. Did Murphy and the TV networks commit slander? What do other lawyers say?
Thank you KC. I can't stand this woman. (I am female.) She screams at me from the TV with hypothetical silliness that anyone with passing knowledge of the case or the law knows are outlandish at best. I even emailed Tucker to beg him not to let this shrieking excuse for an expert on anymore. I really can't stand to watch and when she is on, I turn the channel even though I watch nightly for Duke LAX updates.
Really, thanks.
I believe that two people need to be targeted by a letters campaign to state bars. One, of course, is Murphy, and her statements speak for themselves.
The other is Irving Joyner. He, too, has been extremely irresponsible, to put it mildly. He has called for the court to ignore exculpatory evidence, has all but encouraged a jury to get a conviction, and continues to muddy the waters.
Joyner is free to speak as a private citizen, but he has been speaking as a lawyer and as a law professor. In other words, he has been in a semi-official capacity, and it seems that the Bar rules do not permit the kinds of statements that Joyner has made.
Maybe I am off base here, but it seems to me that there ought to be complaints filed against both of these people.
Is my idea farfetched or not? (Calling all attorneys....)
wendy murphy went to my undergrad alma mater, boston college
i'll check her out, but she sounds like a fool
her best quote: "respect that is due a crime victim"
that reminds me of the old "Saturday Night" skit with Belushi: he played the founder of a rapists' support group--priceless
i guess precious and wendy will found a predators support group
i bet wendy likes her ass smacked with a flounder
jc
Thank you, K.C.! sic semper tyrannis
As offensive and dishonest as she is, I don't think the Board of Bar Overseers should discipline her. The fact is that TV Commentators lie all the time to support their arguments.
I suppose that the players could sue her for defamation, though.
And she definitely should be introduced as an "adjunct professor of law"
JMHO.
Amazing.
Great job, KC. This woman is truly remarkable in that she's lied about virtually every important aspect of the case.
Bill, if she was involved in the Fells Acre case, that would not surprise me...that case is an outrage in its own right. Perhaps when Duke LAX finally winds down the blogosphere should turn to that issue.
Chicago writes:
In a word:
Brilliant!
Bill: I will gladly target Nifong, but I don't quite feel that way about Murphy. Yes, she's crazy, she makes outrageous comments, and she's an avowed man-hater. I dislike her intensely, and have a very low opinion of her as an attorney. Personally, I would have her flustered within seconds of my opening statement, and it would probably go downhill from there for her. All emotions, no analytical thought going into it for her by what I see. Thus, a "former" prosecutor.
But, with that said, she has no real obligations in this case because she is not personally involved, she has not entered her appearance, etc. In terms of her ethical obligations, she is, IMHO, in a safe place.
However, and this is a very large however, her comments are certainly libelous. The Defendants, and probably the rest of the tesm, have an excellent cause of action against her, and nancy Grace, who I also can't stand. I would be thinking more along the lines of civil liability than ethical obligations regarding her at this point.
Nor does the Bar want to go here either for good reason. It is a fine line when the Bar turns into the thought police. If you don't think this is a big deal, think again. In my own State, which has an incredibly (and annoyingly) liberal Bar and political powerbase, once this line is crossed, it turns into oppression time for those lawyers that "dare" think and advocate conservative positions. I do not even hint at my true name for that reason on these posts. I donlt want that getting logged and stuck in my back later.
-Esquire-
-Maryland-
KC-I hope you sent this to Fox News and to the school she is an adjunct at. And perhaps to Ms. Murphy herself. If you have not done so, I would be happy to forward her a link here.
Don't forget MSNBC...cnn...
Scary. A lawyer in Maryland is afraid that if his name is used, he would be retaliated against by the left-liberal Maryland lawyers, who dominate the bar groups.
One should be sebt to O'reilly, he has her on all the time...
1:08 - Yes. Be afraid. I have known the Evans family since I was two years old, I have known Dave since he wore didies (heck, I was there when he first started throwing a lacrosse ball), and I don't DARE whisper what I really think to other lawyers even though this is the most aggregious miscarriage of justice I have ever seen.
get serious, 1:13
r u afraid of the tooth fairy?
"aggregious"?--this spelling does not reflect someone who's really a lawyer--even 1 from a 4th-tier school
r u a masseuse, or do u make sausage?
1:30 - It's late. Spell checking is not an option at this hour.
Good luck in motor cycle repair school, BTW.
The only course I could find
on the NELS web page that fit the desrciption of what Windy Murphy teaches is, get this, an elective...
Persp: Sexual Violence (PS504) - 2 Credits (Elective)
Focuses on how the legal system treats victims of sexual violence and explores strategies for change. The class explores the historical development of the crime of rape and related criminal sexual violence laws. The class then examines modern evidentiary principles and trial strategies employed in sexual assault cases, including "special rules" applicable only to sexual assault cases, such as "rape shield laws" and "fresh complaint testimony." The course ends with an exploration of strategies for change, focusing on particular classes of victims, including victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and children. This course meets the seminar requirement.
Wendy J. Murphy, Adjunct Professor of Law
B.A. Boston College
J.D. New England School of Law
Sexual Violence (Perspectives in Law)
Here is the key course Windy missed while she attended NESL:
PERSP: Prosecutorial Ethics - 2
PERSP: Prosecutorial Ethics (PS285) - 2Credits (Elective) Examines the ethical responsibilities and obligations of the criminal prosecutor. Each class will include a discussion of selected readings and issues related to the various stages of the criminal process. Students should be familiar with the pertinent Model Rules of Professional Conduct and ABA Criminal Justice Standards discussed in the text. Students will be evaluated on class preparation and participation as well as a course paper.
K.C.
Surely these lies from Murphy about the Duke 3 are actionable. Aren't they? As Scrooge might have said (I've been watching too many Xmas movies)"Are there no slander laws? Are there no libel laws?"
BC Grads can look her up in the alumni database. I assume that NESL has something similar though no one has indicated that they went there.
BTW, I'd label this post a deconstruction of Murphy.
It must have taken some time to put all of that together.
One thing that I learned
in training for public
speaking is that if you
have a great theme or point, hammer it home several times.
The three questions posed appear designed to get the attention of those in positions of authority over Murphy.
What sort of network would put such a figure on the air?
I can not blame the networks for putting her on.. It is very difficult now, to find anyone dumb enough to support Nifong publicly. I have actualy read that Tucker (MSNBC) can not find anyone to defend Nifong.
The public after this case will always assosiate her with being dead wrong. Her tv career will be over. Any opinion she gives will be responded with "well you believed in Nifong, why should we listen to you now?
Don't worry about her.
Thank you for this post. I just started following this case recently. When I first started encountering this woman's comments, I assumed that she had been misquoted or quoted out of contexts because her statments were so off the wall. Now I know that she is just a crank.
The only thing I would add to KC's list, is Ms. Murphy's recent nonsensical comments that dropping the rape counts was some type of "brilliant" legal move that took the DNA evidence off the table and somehow made Difong's case even stronger.
Finally, I think it says alot about the state of journalism that the NYT frequently quotes this woman as a legal expert in articles that imply that her views are representative of views held by thoughtful attorneys. A journalist who had some basic working knowledge of law would immediately recongize this woman as a fool.
P.S.
KC is right, on TV she (Wendy) never seem to know all the facts of the case. And as a lawyer took hearsay, (alleged payoff, disproved, and easily verified as disproved) as fact.
But two possibilities:
1 - She did not read up on the case. For a lawyer appearing on a TV show, incredible, but in this case, I've seen it often with other lawyers on TV (how sad is that).
2 - She know about the case details and distorted the record, and I would say lied (I believed she lied, she could be stupid, but that stupid?) about the case for a political agenda.
You decide for yourself, but law professors, former DAs, and 1st year law students are not that stupid.
P.S. If you have truth on your side and valid arguments, you do not have to yell and shout down other people.
Amen, amen, amen. I am a 63 year old woman who has been outraged by this case since it first became a big news story. It reeked from day one.
Wendy Murphy is the most obnoxious person I've ever seen pontificating on criminal cases.
Now, why don't we start on Ted, Greta's sidekick. Talk about a lightweight!
Interesting Nancy Grace hasn't mentioned any of this lately. Maybe next week? I think she's in hiding!
Concerning Wendy Murphy you ask the reasonable question “What sort of a network would put such a person on the air”? I can only speculate, but I suspect it is the kind absolutely typical of contemporary American journalism. One of the tenets of such journalism is that full, probing, “balanced” discussion of complex issues consists of orchestrating confrontations between the most extreme advocates of irreconcilably polar views of the matter. Another tenet is that for every issue there are duly authorized “experts” pro and contra, most of them associated with educational institutions or lobbying organizations that differ from educational institutions only in their greater honesty in admitting partiality. The surprise is not that this formula so often results in an intellectual travesty, but that it sometimes almost works. But let me turn the question back on you. What kind of a blog hosts one jc from bc who, writing at 12:45 on a computer that apparently lacks a shift key, advances the causes of truth and justice with the opinion that “Wendy likes her ass smacked with a flounder”?
Wendy Murphy = modern feminist
Modern feminists = liars
The only way they can advance their destructive agenda is to cook up false statistics to support no-logic emotion based arguments and repeat them ad nauseam until they are just accepted by the general public as "common knowlege".
K.C. great post. But the sophmoric comments by j cline (jc) need to be banned. They add nothing of substance and are amusing only to him. They are not intelligent enough to be truly offensive, but they are crass. Why do you tolerate the distraction?
Wendy will look forward, sadly, to a long and distinguished career in the media. Her rants on the Duke lacrosse hoax will be quickly forgotten and she will continue to flaunt her trash on right-wing talk shows. It's an old joke, but worth recalling.
White House says Earth is flat.
NYT headline: Opinions differ on shape of Earth.
The media are convinced that simply reporting the truth is boring, that we're all so brain-dead we go to sleep unless 2 clear sides devote considerable energy to bashing each other over the head.
That is why we see continuing nonsense such as evolution being presented as no more than a possibility and the Duke lacrosse hoax being discussed as though were anything more than simple abuse of power.
This is not Wendy's first time as a hired thug who drives up ratings by saying outrageous things. See for example http://mediamatters.org/items/200511300001 and let's not forget her involvement in the Fells Acre hoax.
I just looked at my copy of Rabinowitz's book, No Crueler Tyrannies, and apparently Murphy was just a commentator.
I understand the writer from Maryland and realize that people can be held hostage by ideological bar associations.
(For that matter, the social workers national association also demands now that anyone getting licensed in that profession have very specific left-wing political views, and I imagine that the bar will be soon to follow. We are in big, big trouble in this country, believe me, but that is for another time and another story.)
While Murphy is just a big mouth stuck on stupid, it seems that Joyner HAS been operating within a position as a lawyer. Read over his stuff, and you realize that you have a lawyer acting in his official capacity calling on a local jury to ignore exculpatory evidence.
I really think that Joyner stepped over the professional line, and it would be interesting to see what would happen if someone were to file a complaint against him.
Bill, I wonder why no one has filed a complaint on Joyner yet. He has taken the NAACP's position in this case. That Collin, David and Reade must go to prison to make up for things in the past. Even thou he has not said that outright. Just read between the lines.
I will be checking into my states ethics laws, I think Wendy needs a wake up call.
I think that Joyner has stepped WAY over the line in acting in his capacity as an attorney. While I doubt the NAACP is paying him to "observe" the case, nonetheless he was not asked to be the "observer" because he was just another person on the street.
Instead, the NAACP made the request precisely because of Joyner's position as a lawyer and as a law professor. In other words, he was acting in a quasi-professional category. This is even different than what Murphy is doing.
(Would anyone with sense hire either of these two people, given their outspoken love of prosecutorial misconduct? I doubt any prosecutor in Massachusetts would dare hire Murphy now, given her public statements. Any attorney who could spell E-V-I-L would file to have her removed.)
Wendy Murphy must be held accountable for her libelous statements.
IMO, it is time for Wendy to "lawyer-up".
Wendy Murphy is openly playing a character. She knows her job is to be the "pro victim" person and so she does everything she can as though she were part of an improv troupe. Her issue, of course, is that she has no material as Nifong has never filed any papers explaining his position and his public statemetns are lies. To fulfill her role, she makes things up and just does not care who she hurts. I am sure she has a "its just show biz" attitude.
I can't even watch her anymore but she is not a serious person. I do think her statements are libelous but I dont believe anyone takes her seriously.
Joyner is much more disappointing, although I have not read anythig that he said that is remotely actionable or even against the ethical rules. (Maybe I am wrong, I just don't remember)
Joyner is disappoiting because of the central issues here, 1) how any why American courts convict the wrong people 2) the orthdoxy on college campuses and 3) media behavior, the first is one that Joyner should be committed to above all else. He abandoned principles for race politics and he must of known better.
gs said...
But two possibilities:
1 - She did not read up on the case. For a lawyer appearing on a TV show, incredible, but in this case, I've seen it often with other lawyers on TV (how sad is that).
2 - She know about the case details and distorted the record, and I would say lied (I believed she lied, she could be stupid, but that stupid?) about the case for a political agenda.
gs, I think you are right in both of your statements. Many of the so called "legal experts" plainly had very little knowledge of the subject matter. It was clear that they were getting their information from the MSM and not bothering to do any research. Read the NYT and WAPO and watch Nancy Grace and they have all they need to know to be an expert. People like Murphy give meaning the old saying about experts--'ex means has been, spurt means drip under pressure'.
Yes she lied. People who are so dogmatic about agendas tend to not let the truth get in their way.
KC--
Well done! The post above is truly inspired and inspiring.
The Sword of Justice
The following article in the LA Times should be of some interest here.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-op-skube31dec31,0,5058919.story?coll=la-opinion-rightrail
Alan said...
"The media are convinced that simply reporting the truth is boring,"
Actually Alan, in most cases the truth is very boring. If you break down the Duke case to its basics it is boring. Lacrosse team has a party, drinking occurs, drunken strippers appear, drunken strippers leave angry. That is about it. What is exciting about that? But it is the total truth.
Now what has happened afterwards, which is a complete hoax, makes the story exciting. In order to sell advertising the MSM had to keep the story going as long as they could. No one in their right mind would have bought nine months of advertising for the truth.
Why do we tolerate people like Joyner and continue to appease blacks with social programs that allow them all the benefits the rest of us do not enjoy. When will we stand up to this crap.
and 1:30..your pompous post needs to be brought up. I went to a 4th tier law school(probably losing my spot in better schools to foreigners and minorities who wasted their opportunities) and have done pretty well for myself even though I cant spell worth a lick. Ill put the success of my practice against yours any day assuming you even practice law.
For the boys, I am glad that the MSM has finally come to its senses, but I fear that there is something more sinister at play.
The MSM has now realized what Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton knew from the start. The Post, LA times et al realize that this is the wrong case to attach the multicultural agenda to. Simply because it is demonstrably false.
Their mission now is to limit their damages. They'll throw Nifong under the bus and talk about prosecutorial misconduct and how he manipulated the evidence to obtain indictments and move this prosecution as far as he did.
The conversation that the MSM want to avoid is the one about the climate and atmosphere both in the academy and in the nation at large that allowed these boys to be offered up immediately to appease the gods of the politically correct. The left will try to villify Nifong and make him the main offender, but they will not discuss the gang of 88, broadhead's weakness, the long line of women's rights advocates and people for "social justice" who condemned these boys for being white males.
I can't help but to pick up on Wendy Murphy's comment about Hitler. We seem to like to make comparisons to Hitler when we find someone we don't like. But we must remember that Hitler did not act alone. He acted with the aid and assistance of the Nazi party, and his acts were condoned by a broad segment of the German society whether they acted on Hitler's agenda or sat by and allowed it to continue.
So, I can agree with the gang of 88's suggestion that this case stands for something much more than just the acts that happened, or as we we know now did not happen, that night. It stands for a culture that has become all too comfortable with villifying white males for that reason alone.
Nifong is by far not the only criminal here and all white people would be wise to recognize it.
WINDBAG
from a non-lawyer: When I read this great post by KC, what immediately came to mind is a comment attributed to the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan: "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts". Ms. Murphy doesn't seem to know the difference between facts and opinions.
I dont care about Wendy Murphy. She is simply too far away from our State to even matter. Let her talk.
What bothers me is Joyner. Why is it someone from a local law school who has no brains yet has to be in a leadership position so other blacks can be taught by one of their own instead of the smartest people available(If NC Central didnt have to hire black faculty, their school would have a better reputation)gets to speak about the case purely on racist terms and take positions that are based on a racist agenda and not the truth with little or no worries of the repurcussions simply because he is black.
Outside of the recent lie about the exculpatory evidence, if Nifong was a black prosecutor, there would be no bar complaint based soley on his words and these bloggers would all be less outspoken in their criticism of him.
As some have already suggested, these talk shows HAVE to have someone taking the opposite viewpoint in any "debate" that they feature.
From my personal experience -- I've been on these types of shows -- the networks don't care if you know anything at all about the topic of the day. You show up at the studio a half hour before show time to get through makeup. While you're in makeup an assistant hands you a sheet of paper with the day's topic or topics you'll be expected to address. Attached are several sheets of articles from the papers, Internet or newswires. That's all the background you're supposed to need.
During the show the host turns to you and expects a VERY strong opinion stated very briefly. The stronger and more outrageous your remarks the better. Murphy has mastered this part of the process.
The reason we know Murphy is full of BS is because we know something about the case. We don't notice how much BS there is on these shows all the time because we don't follow those topics.
Believe me, 90 percent of what passes for informed opinion in these shows is completely made-up tripe.
I for one think it's good that the only person these shows can find to advance the pro-Nifong position is a pschopathic liar in a clown suit. The more outlandish she gets, the better it is for the side of truth and justice here.
I realize that commentators like Murphy are playing "roles" on these shows, but they are also destroying any credibility they might have in the process. To have something "outrageous" to say, Murphy has repeatedly misstated both the facts of the case and the applicable law. A viewer who has any knowledge of the case can only assume that Murphy is either a liar or a fool, or both. Who will ever take this woman seriously again?
I never listen to her - can't get past her screeeech.
Usually end up flicking to ESPN or other - didn't know she was so stupid.
KC,
Great post. I am a law student and I just looked up Wendy Murphy on the Westlaw Profiler (which provides a list of all cases an attorney has been involved in). While the list is not always all-inclusive, a search of her name in MA turned up zero (0) result. Does this woman actually practice law?
From ithappenedtoalexa.org
"Wendy J. Murphy
Visiting Scholar,
Harvard Law School"
true or embellishment?
I'm trying to avoid being offended by the condescending remarks about "adjunct" professors. K.C. and Bill Anderson should certainly know better. I retired from my first career (for which an advanced degree was required), went back to schoool for a Masters Degree in History, and now teach as an adjunct professor of history. At my school (a community college--so now K.C. and Bill will no doubt think I am a real dummy), the vast majority of history instructors are adjuncts. As best I can tell (and I know it's true for me), the adjuncts work very, very hard, and some of us do a pretty fair job of teaching for almost no compensation (if you count my preparation and grading time, I made substantially less than minimum wage last semester). I will likely never be a full-time professor since I do not have a Ph.D. in History and I am a conservative, white male who is more than 60 years old. Nevertheless, I love history and teaching, and as best I can tell, neither having a Ph.D. nor producing more scholarship in history would make me a better teacher. What I really do not need is having students think they are getting only a half-assed teacher because folks like K.C. and Bill (both of whom I greatly respect) go around denigrating me as "only an adjunct."
Wendy Murphy appears to be a bad joke as a legal commentator, but it is not because she is an adjunct professor. Furthermore, what does being a full-time professor, in and of itself, prove? Please remember that many of the Group of 88 are professors--"full-time" professors, at that; and full-time professors at one of the best schoool in America besides; and to top it off, some of them are full-time history professors who are among those most respected by other members of their field.
The LA Times Opinion piece was good in that it shows
that at least one person regrets what he said early on.
And of course shows that others would just assume that everyone forget the incident.
Here's a link as the original link was truncated:
Duke's recovery from a rush to judgment
Assuming Wendy Murphy actually is licensed to practice law by the State of Massachusetts, she is certainly subject to their Code of Professional Responsibility. I just looked at the New York version, and it is clear the mandatory Discipline Rules apply even when the lawyer is engaging in "non-legal services," in other words even when she is not actually representing a client. I did not check, but I would expect MA. to have a similar provision. Furthermore, in New York she would be bound by Disciplinary Rule 1-102 A lawyer shall not:
(3) Engage in illegal conduct that adversely reflects on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer.
(4)Engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
Ethical Consideration 1-4 (Ethical Considerations are not mandatory) also makes it clear that lawyers who have "knowledge"..."of conduct of another lawyer who the lawyer believes clearly to be in violation of the Disciplinary rules that raises a substantial question as to the other lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness in other respects as a lawyer" should bring the matter to the attention of the Bar.
Obviously, Irving Joyner is subject to the same Code as Mr. Nifong.
This is not a legal opnion; I am retired from practice. But it seems to me KC has done a beautiful job pointing out the dishonesty in Ms. Murphy's comments that has added to the deep public confusion about this case.
May I also point out that Alton Maddox, who "represented" Tawana Brawley as a spokesperson remains disbarred. In the Amsterdam News he complains bitterly about his disbarment and continues to maintain that Ms. Brawley was raped.
Observer
P.S. Maybe I need to change my screen name...do NOT want to be associated with Prof. Joyner.
"Wendy Murphy is openly playing a character." (9:12 am)
I agree. A character straight out of the kind of movie that is shown on Lifetime Movie Channel.
Thank you, KC, for pointing out all of Wendy the shrew's outrageous comments...I do believe that many of them are slanderous...her rantings have been infuriating, and she should face some repercussions for all that she's said...
10:59 here in my area of Massachusetts we just lost a civil lawyer because of a 13 month disbarment. He will be back after that.
All he did is, he forgot to tell the insurnace companies that his clients had died. He was still going through with him case.
Now that I look at Nifong I really hope he is disbarred for ever and doing some prison time, and as for Wendy. I am going to sitdown and write a letter asking why she is even allowed to teach law in my state.
But I think I already know the answer to that, she is nothing less that a die hard liberal feminist. I wouldn't want her to try a case that involved me that is for sure.
As an ex adjunct professor at George Washington University I can definitely say you are second class in all ways including pay.
FODU has a site with a table of the 88 and their comments on the LAX case
at:
Group Of 88 Professors, Who signed the Listening Statement
I'll go through some of the links later on.
anonymous 10:26 said in part...
"I realize that commentators like Murphy are playing "roles" on these shows, but they are also destroying any credibility they might have in the process. "
So true...I think it's long past the time to stop blurring the distinction between news and entertainment...sadly, shows like Hannity and Colmes have a huge following, so the circus will likely continue...but when people's lives and well-being are at stake, it's no game...I've never been a big TV watcher, but since I have been following this case (from day one), I've tried to watch all of the TH shows to get information...virtually all the coverage has infuriated me...I get so much more from KC, Bill, Crystal Mess, and the Liestoppers crew than I ever could from the usual suspects of THs and their (mostly) brainless guests...
Murphy may actually occasionally teach a future Massachusetts attorney, but I actually find Joyner of NCCU more dangerous since he may very well be teaching the next Nifong-to-be in my state of NC. God help us. Also isn't a little ironic Bannon the lawyer who eviscerated Fong and Meahan graduated from Campbell the law school with the highest NC bar passage rate, while Joyner teaches at the school with the lowest passage rate, NCCU.
Are there any attorneys out there willing to take on this slander/libel case?
Wendy Murphy is a bitter, screeching, vicious ethically bankrupt harpy. If somebody does address her wild out of control false statements I hope disbarment is only the beginning.
So, when it the movie, "All Nifong's Men" coming out?
Any thoughts on who should be cast in the roles of:
Mike Nigong -- Sam Waterston
Crystal Mangum -- Tawana Brawley
KC Johnson -- Robert Redford
Stuart Taylor -- Dustin Haffman
Victoria Peterson --?
NAACP leadership --?
Prof. Joyner --?
The Duke 88 --?
The Defense lawyers --?
The Duke Three --?
....
...
..
.
Let's fill out the cast ...
Nancy Grace seems to have a few problems of her own on the wrong side of a lawsuit.
Federal
court will preside over Nancy Grace lawsuit
I remember her on Nancy Grace saying...no SCREAMING.."THEY ARE RAPISTS, THEY ARE RAPISTS, THEY RAPED THIS WOMAN, THEY ARE RAPISTS". I remember that verbatim. I was outraged. I remember thinking "she cant say that can she?"
I ask the question again.."Can she"?
I think that after seeing the inexplicable success of the Nancy Grace Show, one of the many voices in Wendy Murphy's head said "Hey I'm crazy enough to host a show like that", and she has been auditioning for the position ever since.
In an effort to be fair and balanced both Fox and MSNBC must have realized that only a crazy person could side with the prosecution on matters relating to the Duke Hoax.
As usual there is no explanation for whatever the lefties at CNN are imagining.
Anonymous said...
Are there any attorneys out there willing to take on this slander/libel case?
11:27 AM
Not a lawyer. Just curious about the status of the networks and cable shows that have allowed her statements to go unchallenged. Are they subject to the same possible slander/libel suits? If they bring her back continuously to spew her lies aren't they just as liable?
I was recently asked to appear on CNN and FOX on a story related to the three climbers lost on Mount Hood. Anderson Cooper was gracious and stuck to the general topics I had discussed in advance with his producers. Two days later, the FOX producer and I agreed on the scope of the questions but when we went live the first question was total bait-and-switch -- which I refused to answer. FOX has no compunction about putting people on the spot in an effort to generate sensational news -- even where it does not exist. My first impulse after leaving the studio was to take a shower. FOX was looking for people to bash the climbers, and I agreed to discuss survival in the mountains. Wendy appears to gravitate to that kind of interaction – at the cost of her credibility.
To 10:53 AM:
My point was NOT to denigrate adjuncts. I have worked as an adjunct myself and I appreciate much of the good work that adjuncts do.
My point was that she has been passing herself off as a PROFESSOR OF LAW at the New England Law School. I seriously doubt that you have done the same, and that you call yourself a PROFESSOR at the place where you teach.
Even I don't pass myself off as "professor." I am an Associate Professor of Economics, and I do not claim professorship. (I have to wait another six years before I can apply for that promotion.)
My point was not to attack you or other adjuncts. It is just that Murphy is someone who is dishonest in all walks of life.
7:00 wrote: "But let me turn the question back on you. What kind of a blog hosts one jc from bc who, writing at 12:45 on a computer that apparently lacks a shift key, advances the causes of truth and justice with the opinion that “Wendy likes her ass smacked with a flounder”?"
Come on! There is a major difference between a blog where people of their own accord enter and comment and a network inviting a liar like Murphy on and providing her a platform for her villainy.
And there's a big difference as well between the admittedly sophomoric "flounder" remark and the genuinely damaging sort of disinformation that Murphy propagates.
everyone here needs to wake up. we can moan and groan about wendy murphy, nancy grace, mike nifong etc. but the problem is much bigger than that.
white people need to think about why an ordinary run of the mill rape case get made into a national case? i tell you why. the original story (i know there are multiple versions, but give me some latitude here) was the black woman raped by white men. you have a polically correct victim and politically incorrect perpetrators.
the case would have gotton no more than a mention in the local section of the durham paper if the perpetrator had been black and the victim white or both victim and perpetrator of the same race. but, since we had "proof" that white men are still the oppressors, it had to be braodcast across the country so that everyone could see what white men are up to when no one is watching.
unfortunately, the idea that white men are the boogey men that oppress minorities is a myth both from a systemic level and more direct personal level. more whites are afriad of blacks, given the latter's propensity for violence. but that gets no coverage in the press.
no, what gets coverage is the MSM's view of white men opression the world. and that is a myth. we should not worry too much about wendy murphy. she made a fool of herself and since she's a fool that should come as no surprise.
i'm more concerned that this same scenario will happen again yet next time there may very will be convictions if the accused are not as wealthy as these boys. the left wants to shut nifong up. he's done enough damage to their "truth" that white men oppress the world.
I'm afraid we will all have forgotton about this the next time it comes up.
WINDBAG
So, when it the movie, "All Nifong's Men" coming out?
Any thoughts on who should be cast in the roles of:
Mike Nigong -- Sam Waterston
Crystal Mangum -- Tawana Brawley
KC Johnson -- Robert Redford
Stuart Taylor -- Dustin Haffman
Victoria Peterson --?
NAACP leadership --?
Prof. Joyner --?
The Duke 88 --?
The Defense lawyers --?
The Duke Three --?
....
...
..
.
Let's fill out the cast ...
The common thread with Wendy Murphy, the original pot bangers, and even the recent anti-Nifong editorials is that desire for an outcome is a substitute for facts.
Murphy wanted the lacrosse players to be evil, so everything fits into that template. The pot bangers had a long standing grudge against certain people and the crime fit so they supported the "victim" uncritically. Now the media needs a new villain, and Nifong fits. And yes, the facts support making Nifong the victim but, even with the recent developments, the basic facts demonstrating that this is a hoax have been known for months.
1) The lacrosse players said in advance of the DNA results that they did not touch the stripper, a result that was confirmed.
2) It is impossible for the rape and sexual assault not to leave any DNA, a fact that Nifong knew when he said the results woudl be conclusive.
3) The line-up violated all rules.
4) Nifong stirred the pot unethcially with false comments.
5) There was no medical evidence of rape or assualt.
6) Reade Seligmann was not present.
and, of course, more.
All these facts are now cited in these angry editorials, but why now? They are cited now because now Nifong is the villain and so he must be punished. The punishment is just, but that does not matter. Even in these latest editorials, the writers refer to the "lacrosse players reprehensible behavior" trying to find another side to this. Even if you believed that one player had made a racial slur, and even if you believed that the three captains were "reprhensible" for hiring dancers, what does that have to with all the lacrosse players.
Yes, while I am relieved that the tide is turning and the media monster that Nifong created is turning on him, the question is--"what took so long."
When I read this article, the first thing that jumped out at me, a non lawyer, was “deep pockets”. It does no good to sue unless there is a reasonable chance of actually receiving any monies awarded. Any news network obviously has the money to pay damages.
Will the 3 duke kids have actionable cases against the “news” networks that repeatedly put this person on the air only to spout outright falsehoods which greatly defamed the 3wrongfully accused kids.
Does the news network have a responsibility to check the veracity of the supposed “expert” it’s putting on the air? While one could condone a onetime error, using that same “expert” over and over; the “expert” who’s wrong or has made up the “facts”, should certainly show egregious lack of care in vetting that “expert”. One thing that would greatly increase any liability would be payment to the “expert”, thereby making them an employee of the network, if only a temporary one.
Would such willful negligence, which furthered the nationwide, on air defamation of the wrongly accused, make the networks subject to damages? I don’t know but assume that the lawyers for the Duke kids will be examining that closely.
In addition to the damning list of Wendy Murphy vitriol cited by Professor Johnson, LieStoppers and I (in the Comments section) provided a number of other Murphy distortions, lies and fabricated statistics in the Hag of the Hoax column here: http://liestoppers.blogspot.com/
2006/08/hag-of-hoax.html
12:57 Collin, David and Reade should play themselves.
As I see the end of the movie Nifong and the boys are coming out of the courthouse, as Nifong attempts to leave the boys kick Nifong's ass.
Hell add Mr. Finnerty in there for good measure, to help the three boys out. I have a feeling Mr. Finnerty would love to show Nifong a little Yankee justice.
1:15
The infamous "What if a date rape drug was used". Nifong said that to Newsweek. Later we find out:
A hair test months later, finds no date rape drug.
The AV used a powerful muscle relaxation drug (Flexeril, prescription required). Warning do not mix with alcohol. (think back to her history of blacking out as in the club).
I have never heard a good reason that a full drug screening, urine and blood was not done on the night of the rape. Seems strange that a intoxicated woman in an ER claim to be raped whould not get a blood sample drawn.
Wow. Excellent analysis KC. I can't wait until you write your book about this hoax, so the world can recognize your findings & efforts.
gs, the night that Crystal was taken to the hospital she was tested to see if she was pregnant.
As a female and rape survivor I can tell you that there is only two ways to check to see if she was pregnant. The hospital only needs very little of either.
1. Blood
2. Urine
If the hospital had any reason to believe Crystal was on anything else they could have run the drug test at the same time. So the hospital should still have the samples. Knowing Crystal cried rape.
And also remember she was given the morning after pill at the hospital.
In my opinion there is plenty of room here for JC! I thought the flounder comment was based on Spamalot, which may be sophomoric in some respects...but it is VERY funny, even to me who, if I did drop "Observer," would become "Church Lady."
Ob
KC & Bill Anderson:
The LA Times Op-Ed that 9:19am Anon noted has an interesting passage:
Several years ago, Duke's English department, once a hotbed of cutting-edge literary theory, imploded in a blaze of backbiting and backstabbing and had to be put in the temporary care of a botanist.
What's up with that? Sounds like something that ought to be in the book...
Bill: Again, Joyner may be an idiot, but be very careful what you hope for. Nifong's obligations as a prosecutor make this cut and dry against him, and because of the power of his position, it is an important difference. Prosecutors like Nifong are the same guys that railroad minorities who are innocent to win a case and earn gravy points ta the local level. Abuse of power serves the self interest of the person abusing it. The fact that Durham's more obstinate residents fail to comprehend this fact astounds me. But for the grace of God....
For Joyner and co., they have earned the scorn of their colleagues, but I would be much more wary about seeking ethical charges against them. They do not have the powers of a prosecutor. The route to follow is civil liability, which is a good course. Nothing has a greater effect on human behavior then writing a large check.
-Esquire-
-Maryland-
windbag, many of us are screaming about this! I just posted today on Liestoppers that Prof. Joyner would NEVER take the position that he's taken if the false accuser had been white and the boys black...many people are saying this...I think that the gig is going to be up soon with regard to the race baiters and their tactics, thanks ONLY to the bloggers...
I've heard that tox screens aren't being done on alleged rape victims out of concern that if the victims are found to be drunk and/or on drugs, the defense later on can use these fundings to impeach the testimony of these alleged victims.
So, the tox screens aren't done to protect the alleged victims. Then of course I also heard things contradictory to this, so, perhaps it varies from state to state.
A Message from James F. Clyne, who occasionally posts on this forum as "jc"
I'm a minor celebrity, having collaborated on various projects with geniuses like Donald Barthelme and Deborah Turbeville. I am a producer/art director/writer/photographer/editor
I recently founded a production company, Nighttown Media. I received my AB from Boston College, and went to graduate school at harvard, wisconsin, and texas. Recently, i've posted some nasty posts about AAAS (a k a "black studies"), basically questioning its right to funding; I also pointed out that black studies is a magnet for black racists--thus the Wahneemas of the world wanting to put your sons in jail.
I suspect someone knows that I'm a major bad-ass, so they're posting under "jc"--there's nothing i can do about that. True, i occasionally write sophomoric posts, but they r witty.
my principal interests in this case r twofold:
1. scrapping the rape shield laws, and creating a felony sex crime statute for false accusers
2. the defunding of black studies
7:00: i'll overlook those jabs u took at the other "jc" and strongly agree with you--putting diametrically opposed views on the air in the promise of "balance" is a joke: according to that logic, u'd put just as much garlic as pasta into lasagna--what the producers should b doing is finding the most intelligent people possible to discuss the issues--intelligent people naturally disagree occasionally on certain aspects of any case--so, yes, what u c on TV often ends up being pedestrian analysis--but what person in his right mind relies on TV for cogent analysis of complex issues?
12:51: u have misdiagnosed the politics here: precious as victim is politically correct, boys as perps is also politically correct--blacks as perps is politically incorrect--folly?
cedarford: the respective "gravitas" of james coleman and young evans?--suggest u review coleman's "credentials" with the same diligence as u reviewed wendy murphy's--he's also a lightweight--a convenient lightweight for the dukies--isn't evans the gavonne who hired the strippers?--correct me if i'm wrong
WHAT IS WENDY MURPHY TO THE NETWORKS? i've got lots of friends in the biz, kiddie kats: By putting the likes of murphy on the air, the execs r showing their support for antimale rape-shield laws and continuation of the American outrage of not severely punishing false accusers
4:56--u think murphy is finished because of recent developments? WRONG--remember al sharpton?
Fellow posters, I think it's kind of a joke that I'm 1 of only a few on this board trying to address issues like the above
jim clyne ("jc")
This is a brilliant analysis and one of the most effective assasinations I have read in a long time. Well done that woman deserves it.
I hope this is widely circulated, especially where it can do the most good, because the Duke lacrosse boys will not be her last victims.
For unknown reasons, no samples were preserved no such tests were done as far as I read.
This was a woman who told doctors/nurses she was mixing alcohol and a prescription drug. She was found in a unresponsive state by police. If your sick in Durham go to another ER.
Happy New Years everybody!
Mikey Nifong's 2006 resolution: try to fall behind in election polls, borrow $30,000 to fund a fading campaign,falsely accuse at least 3 Duke athletes of rape and assault, lie about the case excessively to the mass media in order to gain votes, conduct case after case of prosecutor misconduct, meet some of the members of the friendly New Black Panthers party, do everything possible to make an idiot of oneself, receive complaints from the NC bar association, get denounced by the North Carolina conference of DAs, try to get divorced by wife & kicked out of her house.
Mikey Nifong’s 2007 resolution: Move in with buddy Brodhead(& have discussions about how you almost got away with it), Pack clothes & skip border asap.
What a DisgrAceful year in Durham.
jc 2:00pm I want the rape shield laws taken down also.
I also want false accuer registry just the same as the sex offender one. Now that will discourage anyone from filing a fasle report, knowing that there name, home address, phone number and place of employment is on the internet for all to see.
They should call it the Michael Nifong Crystal Gail Mangum Law.
All the people involved with this hoax has set back the rights of all Americans.
At 12:15 p.m. Windbag wrote the following:
unfortunately, the idea that white men are the boogey men that oppress minorities is a myth both from a systemic level and more direct personal level. more whites are afriad of blacks, given the latter's propensity for violence. but that gets no coverage in the press.
================================
That certainly is news to me as a black man. Windbag would you care to cite proof of your assertion?
victim,
great idea! false accuser registry:
i've just added it to my list
thank u
jc
windbag,
don't bite--this guy's a troll
what u aid is a tautology--even jesse jackson agrees with u
jc
If I were on 'The Dating Game', I'd ask all 3 bachelorettes if they had ever falsely accused someone of rape.
jc, are you saying I'm a troll?
I read this blog everyday but never comment even though I support the three accused. Windbag's claim is certainly beyond the pale.
2:37--that's brilliant!
my boy/girl, think u could b a natural producer--a politically incorrect dating show!
it's bliss!
might b fun for man to get answers AFTER he has been thrown in jail
u r onto something
what shall we title it?
i'll think a bit on that--
BEND OVER?
jc
Today Alan Dershowitz has gone after the fong...
more whites are afraid of blacks, given the latter's propensity for violence. but that gets no coverage in the press.
Silly.
Crime makes headlines. To judge by this years news stories, I would have to conclude that Duke stundents are all criminals. Didn't you read about them?
F dershowitz--i contacted his people early on, and his assistants wouldn't get back to me
he's a weasel
jc
VIM,
I am very interested in your views of the rape shield laws. Before these laws, victims faced a character assassination on the stand when pressing a rape complaint, unless their sexual history was impeccable. I agree the laws may be too restrictive. And I understand the arguments that (1) there is no longer a stigma associated with being a rape victim and (2) what used to be considered wild, wanton, and promiscuous behavior and be held against the victim in a trial, may now be considered nothing all that unusual by today's standards, BUT I cannot imagine a wholesale repeal of the rape shield laws. I do believe the complete license to expose every rape victim's complete sexual history would discourage victims from reporting the crime and not serve the interests of justice.
Having said that, it is clear false rape charges are lodged at a much higher rate than many have been willing to acknowledge. As JC pointed out, though, often what one perceives as consensual sex, the other may perceive as rape. There is a strong argument that for their own protection, men really have to be very, very sure about their partner--as we know the risk of being careless or wrong has the potential to wreck a life--kind of like AIDS.
The database idea for false accusers does not bother me at all, as long as the false accuser has had a trial and the falsity of her accusations has been proven to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt.
JC, in your situation, do you believe the person who accused you should have been punished?
Ob
2:39--make your point--wasn't it jesse himself who said that he feels relieved when he discovers that the man walking behind him is white?
agree that "propensity" is strong word; think Windbag was referring to per capita inidences of viloent criminal behavior--u'd have to ask him
jc
I think this will be a big week. The anti-Fong wave is coming in like a tsunami, and there literally is nothing he can do to stop it.
A lot of people who either believed Nifong's lies at the beginning or who were on the sidelines are now jumping into the game. There is no way that the government authorities in North Carolina are going to prop up Nifong, because anyone seen as standing by their man is going to be seen as supporting corruption.
I hope that the Democrats can put pressure on people like John Edwards and others who normally would either have backed the Fong or would try to be seen as neutral. The more people who pile on the better.
(I have no standing with Democrats, as I am a registered Libertarian. Obviously, I have no standing with Republicans, either.)
I must also say that I am not at all happy with the tone of the racial discussion going on. Yes, race and class drove this, and, yes, the NAACP has permanently discredited itself as a "civil rights" organization in my eyes, but as the father of two black sons (and a girl from Guatemala), I am not going to buy into the racial arguments.
That being said, the performance of much of the black community in Durham, as well as the black press, such as the Wilmington Journal and Cash Michaels, has been shameful. Yet, we whites also have our history of shameful behavior and we do have the Scottsboro Boys case as a reminder that whites have been just as inclined to railroad innocent people as has been Irving Joyner.
Bill,
Thanks for speaking up.
It seems that the regular posters here forget that their statements are being read by others who wouldn't necessarily comment on this board.
I'm a black man and from the very beginning I've doubted the veracity of the accusations and have stated that publicly numerous times on the largest black website.
Its rather disturbing to read comments like Windbag's and the support he received from JC.... its quite remininiscent of not so long past history.
bill anderson
amen
BA, u make a good point, but we should take it a step further by asking candidates for presidency what should b done about america's false accuser problem and the rape-shield laws
O, great analysis, as usual
u know i'm not an attorney, so i feel a bit out of my natural habitat (which is the gutter--lol) re sophisticated discussion of rape shield (rs) laws--i do know that they vary from state to state, with various degrees of protection
u obviously make a valid point, which is exposing alleged victim's sexual history--i could b wrong about this, but how does a person's sexual history relate to rape? to me, that is irrelevant, even if the AV spreads her legs as much as paris hilton
what i do care about is the AV's HISTORY--eg, is she:
a liar
history of false accusations (woman who accused me, had)
a sleazy reputation in business
mental problems
alcoholic/drug addiction
the above r all fair game, imo
the woman who accused me of "forcefully touching her breast over the bra" is probably as unstable as precious
4 policemen banged on my door at 5am--the "victim" was prostrate in my hallway screaming: "Get the Jew--get that dirty rabbi"--guess what? i was arrested within 30 seconds based solely on the accusation--i was lucky: manhattan's DA, robert morgenthau, is damn good, so the charge didn't pass muster with the grand jury, but this process took about 8 months--so literally i was waiting for a knock on the door for 8 months
i'd have this bitch locked up for 10 years for what she did to me
all i could do about her is get her fired from her job--big deal, she's a hairdresser and probably got a job in a week
jc
Well what would be your reason for conversing with a troll?
I suppose not using my Blogger login ID, and not spending countless hours here pontificating makes me a troll.
P.S. Where did I call anyone names?
"reminiscent of not so long ago history"?
so i'm a racist; supporter of jim crow/slavery; against the scottsboro boys; against equal opportunity, etc?
jc
Ob 2:56pm
Let me start by saying that I feel that if a person has filed any form of a false report needs to be exposed.
As for the rape shield laws they need to be limited to only people who are not in the position to defend themselves a.k.a. childern under age 16,the mental or person's born with a disablility.
If you put yourself in an job that makes you a high risk for filing these kind of charges,"strippers, hookers" then nothing should be off limits.
Today a lot of younger women tease men like crazy, just to see how far it can or will go. If the girl doesn't get what she wants then she can go down a cry rape at this time. Any person can file a false complaint and yes wreck the lives of many.
That is what needs to stop. I hate to say this, but if that means girls don't come forward for a long time, they only have to look tho Durham NC, and Crystal Gail Mangum and Michael Nifong to understand why the laws need to change.
JC,
No wonder you are so interested in this case.
I have to get prepared for the New Year's Eve celebration, so I am signing off for today. Happy New Year's everyone! After the extraodinary events of the last couple of weeks, it looks like the New Year will be a very good one indeed for the Duke defendants...and, I hope, for all of us.
Ob
P.S. Does anyone understand how Al Sharpton managed to survive the Tawana Brawley fiasco while Alton Maddox is permanently disgraced? Was it just the fact the Mr. Maddox was a lawyer and actually held to ethical standards and Mr. Sharpton was a reverend/political opportunist and not as accountable? Or did Al Sharpton actively rehabilitate his reputation is some way that I missed?
VIM,
Just saw your comment. Will think about it and get back to you tomorrow. Thanks!
Ob
happy new year, O
your PS was correct, but maddox is still around
sharpton is the official spokesperson for the "it's all whitey's fault" brigade
he's indispensable
have a good 1, and let's hope we get to c mikey do a perp walk
jc
Take a bow Dr. J!
I just viewed Mr. Luker's post, asserting:
"I've just heard from our colleague, KC Johnson, that he and Stuart Taylor, Jr., the respected columnist at National Journal, will co-author a book about the Duke lacrosse players and the prosecuting attorney who may yet be disbarred for his handling of the case against them. I like to think the book was born at Cliopatria and took on a life of its own at Durham-in-Wonderland. Is there a better example of a historian as an active public intellectual and the potential power of blogs to make a difference in the real world of public life? The book by Johnson and Taylor will, of course, be eligible for the $10,000 Lulu Blooker Prize."
I'm eagerly awaiting more information from you on this!
ENG/RM PAM
okay, criticisms of my latest post are deserved. but my point is simply that this case got attention because it fit a certain viewpoint that the MSM promotes.
i actually have no problem with black people, but i do often wonder how we will ever function as a multicultural society if the people for "social justice" contantly insist on continuing the same crimes that were perpetrated in the past. the only difference is that whites will suffer the way blacks once did. if this group wants to accept that power and not reason should prevail, then it makes no sense for a white majority to allow a minority group to rule over them. the majority should simply turn the tables on them.
i don't think that black people fear white people. other than this case, please find another episode where whites sought out blacks as victims. of course there are some horrible incidents such as the church burnings and the jesse byrd incident, but on a day by day basis, its whites who fear blacks.
WINDBAG
i agree with cedarford--the MSM would love to make mikey the convenient hitler: he has the correct anatomy and complexion
cedarford, i'm multitasking so i may overlook subtleties from time to time, but i interpreted Windbag's comment to be a relative 1--ie, compared to white/asian males
if this is not the case, then i apologize, because i'm in total agreement that no individual should b tarred by identity politics
jc
I never, ever met a false rape claim, by the way. My own statistics speak to the truth.
--“The Situation,” 5 June 2006
This is by far the most ingenuous statement I have ever heard in the justice business. I average about three rape allegations a week in my area. Approx. 50% are withdrawn within a short period because the Accuser "tells law enforcement they made it up for various reasons". Approx. 20% are found to have no proof to secure an Indictment. Of the remaining 30% there is usually an indictment of which a high percentage plead(and allocute with the victim's permission) to lower charges. I would venture to say approx 100% of the accusers that have actually been raped continue through the entire trial process to convict the Rapist.
There is a line at the Prosecutor's(DA0 window to drop charges as these cases are progressing. The accusers reasons are usualy custody, financial or just plain spite/revenge. I have never in 26 years seen a person that was actually raped request to drop charges for ANY reason. The entire process is a joke set up by woman's groups and victim's rights advocates. They would not have jobs if they didn't create cases.
This Wendy Murphy clown must have practiced law in a vacuum. Does anyone have her record as a DA? My take is she was so bad, she had to leave to be an assistant Prof. at an unknown legal forum. She possibly posts on this site as THE MAN
windbag,
"blacks don't fear white people"
r u referring to incidences of street crime, or something like Wahneema Lubiano not fearing retaliation from brodhead?
it's a bit difficult for me to discern your meaning, and therefore your argument
jc
good post, dude
what should b done about rape shield laws?
punishing false accusers?
jc
Jc,
How does my comment of ""reminiscent of not so long ago history"?" equate to calling names?
Cedarford,
No need to apologize for the actions/words of others. Having dealt with similar comments for much of my life I've become inured to such.
Oops, maybe I should strike those comments. A black man certainly shouldn't be able to speak that way.
In a practical sense the rape allegations seem to work themselves out over time. That is not the best for the Accused but it tends to rely on the relationship of the accused and accuser. The prosecutor must look very hard at these cases. They can't just take the police reports and call it a day. They must follow up with the victim and make sure there is evidence and no alterior motives. Da's and Prosecutors tend to let things sit around waiting for trial. In the duke LAX case, Nifong did not bother to talk to the AV about the case. BS he knew what she said and kept her hidden.
Rape shield laws are okay if the Pros. does look into the V's background themselves to be sure they are doing the right thing. The problem with Rape shield or any criminal case is most pros. want convictions to bolster their resume. Anyone truly investigating the cases at hand will rarely have the case blow-up in their face.
Al Sharpton has been primarily an opportunist from his days at Tilden High School, through making gospel 45s with James Brown, to his shrill media personality. He's not stupid and grudgingly I must admit he has tried to somewhat rehabilitate himself from his worse excesses (such as Twanaa Brawley), but not by saying he was wrong, but by being somewhat more restrained prospectively. If he was more honest and had more courage, he could actually accomplish something by not playing strictly by the race card. In his personal life he demonstrated that he didn't believe his own nonsense by sending his kids to Poly Prep.
Rape shield laws were supposedly enacted from having to put legitimate rape victims on trial themselves. Unfortunately, they have evolved into a tool used by the prosecution to exclude what is exculpatory evidence.
The problem is that feminists do not care, because they don't really care whether a rape conviction is false or not. Wendy McElroy told me that feminists do not like the Innocence Project and DNA evidence because often the eyewitness accounts and the science do not jibe. It goes against Wendy Murphy's "the accuser always is right" nonsense.
And I do think it will be a good year for those who have stood on the right side, and a bad year for Mikey. And as for the MSM, as I said before, they don't want to be caught on the losing side.
Last spring, WE were on the losing side, and the MSM was against us. Now it seems that the tide has turned, which means the media now "sees the light." Gotta love it.
I'm waiting for the 60 Minutes followup. How could they not?
Thank you, K.C., for all you do. Wishing you a Happy New Year, sic semper tyrannis
4:37--let's drop the BS--i think i agree with u
otherwise we'll end up with clinton's "is" argument
i'm editing and art directing a dance book that has lots of black men in it--some of the nicest people i've ever met
can we keep everything else on an intellectual basis?
jc
Might I suggest that you forward this to the Massachussetts State Bar in the form of a Complaint?
Brand
Brand, i don't think murphy can b disciplined by the Mass. bar, because she is acting as a legal commentator, not an attorney
not sure about this
jc
to 512 from a non-attorney. No matter how disgusting and despicable her commentary is, I am quite reluctant to muzzle anyone. Ms. Murphy may be an idiot, but I would defend her freedom of speech. Regulating what one can say is a slippery slope. On the other hand, we should stop watching shows where they give her a platform to voice her hate speach. On the other hand, Nifong has special responsibilities about what he can say about a case because he is serving as the "minister of justice".
4:57 on 60 minutes
I don't see how they could
avoid getting great ratings
for a follow-up story. And
the kudos with being right
when most of the rest of
your industry was wrong.
Too bad Ed Bradley isn't
around to do it too.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/12/26/cofffey.list/index.html
CNN has the best and worse of law stories in 2006. Nifong damaging justice does not make it on the list of worst, but Mel Gibson insulting a cop while drunk does.
Nice to see CNN know whats really important. lol
can we charge CNN with rape of the hottest news story of the year, and they didn't bring it to us. Man Fox News did a better job.
Wendy Murhpy does have freedom of speech. What she doesn't have is the right to go on national televison and slander someone, spew outright lies and make things up to push her cause. As a legal commentator she can not slander someone without consequences.
New England Schonol of Law, where murphy is an adjuct, is listed as a 4th-tier law scool by US News
feminists need better affirmative action--look at Cornel West: he's got an endowed chair at Princeton
jc
A quick comment on the freedom of speech issue:
While freedom of speech is essentially absolute, it can have consequences--i.e., libel and slander laws.
Murphy seems to me to have crossed way over the line on this question, because of the repeated nature of her false statements.
It seems pretty clear, though, that she doesn't consider herself legally vulnerable at all.
KC, we'll find out how vulnerable she is
meanwile, i just visited cornel west's bio at princeton--he's a University professor and therefore among Princeton's most "elite" educators
What is Princeton getting for this lightweighjt?
"Professor Cornel West's current research focuses on the cultural nexus between Anton Chekhov and John Coltrane"
yep, black studies is just as vital at princeton as it is at Duke
KC, any chance nifong will do perp walk?
congratulations on your book deal
jc
jc, do you feel your points are enhanced by being rude to other posters? Very insecure for a self-styled "minor celebrity."LOL Your act here is a joke elsewhere on the web.
Wendy Murphy credits:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0614776/
Actress - filmography
1. The Android Affair (1995) (TV) .... Allen
Filmography as: Actress, Self
Self - filmography
1. "The O'Reilly Factor" .... Herself (6 episodes, 2005-2006)
- Episode dated 6 February 2006 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode dated 28 November 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode dated 4 October 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode dated 16 September 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode dated 13 September 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
(1 more)
2. "The Big Story" .... Herself (1 episode, 2005)
- Episode dated 22 November 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
3. "Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann" .... Herself (1 episode, 2005)
- Episode dated 21 October 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
I think Windbag makes an interesting point. Nifong didn't happen in a vacuum. He was selling a story that a lot of people wanted to hear.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of people are incapable of critical thought and will continue to swallow BS from opportunists like Nifong.
Even when political correctness dies down (and it WILL pass, just like every other intellectual fashion), it will be replaced by some other nonsense.
JMHO.
7:13--afraid to identify yourself--btw, i'm too busy to post elsewhere, so which "jc" r u referring?
address my arguments--u don't have to like me
happy new year
i'm rarely rude on this board--don't know whom you're referring to
jim clyne
I don't know why you are all picking on Wendy Murphy, she is a great lawyer and teacher. She is right on about her observations about the Duke case. These guys belong in jail.
Going out now to celebrate the New Year, Happy New Year to all you folks. Remember Precious and Nifong and wish them a happy new year also.
Remember what Mr. Potter said to George Bailey after George wished him Merry Christmas? "And Happy New Year to you -- in jail!!"
So, Mikey Nifong, I give you the Mr. Potter New Year greeting!
Troll Alert
Someone is using "jc" on this blog to discredit me from time to time
I first became aware of it when someone accused me of talking about meatloaf to a female poster
I thought it was a joke, so I suggested adding more onions.
I must b scaring someone at Duke
Could it b Wahneema?
I do not insult people in this forum. I'm always about the arguments, so if someone is rude to u--it ain't me--OK?
jc
C,
was once sued for libel--not fun
if she is indeed slandering these guys, she should b sued
however, think it's extremely difficult to prove damages
therefore, a better tactic would b to express yourself to management at her various employers
jc
Alan Dershowitz today asked me to give him some evidence that she had taught at Harvard, so I was able to send him some links and copy. A lot of attorneys in Massachusetts really despise her (hence my "spitting on her grave" comment in a recent article), and she has been so shrill and over-the-top in the Duke case that I am sure there will be some payback for her down the line.
My guess is that she will have a hard time getting a teaching job again at a law school, at least in that state. Most attorneys (except for maybe Woody Vann) know that Nifong's case comes out of the back end of a bull.
Bill-- Woody Vann just might be the only defense attorney that would stand up for Nutfong at his disbarrment hearing.
Well, Vann probably comes cheaper than Joe Cheshire, and I think that Cheshire is busy right now.
While this case is imploding, remember that just a few months ago, it seemed that Nifong held all of the cards and was pushing this thing to trial. I can be thankful that people like K.C. really cared, and that there was a host of people out there ready to take a stand.
I'd say that the odds of the State of North Carolina, the NAACP and other "civil rights" organizations, as well as the MSM on one side, and attorneys limited by gag orders and a few loosely-connected bloggers on the other, that it really was not a fair fight.
I would have to agree. It was not fair, as perhaps K.C. should have blogged with both hands tied behind his back. After reading the letters, Joan Foster's pieces, and other such things, I realize that the bozos of the MSM really were not in the same league. I'd tell them to go back to the minors, but they never were in the majors in the first place.
I sense that this will be a big week. Time to get out the pots and spoons and attend someone's swearing-in ceremony!
to 2:00 pm--Googled me, huh?
you're an epigone of the first rank
was wondering where "minor celebrity" came from--that was beautiful
Mr Troll got me at 2:00
Congratulations
like the megalamaniacal touch!
will be forced to post anonymously from now on
jc
PS someone has it in for me...?
Let's give Nifong a break, he is the most honest person I know. He is a dear friend and would not commit the crimes you people accuse him of. Don't throw him under the bus with wendy
"he is the most honest person I know."
You need to get out more. It's obvious you know only one person.
I would be remiss in not wishing K.C. a most Happy New Year. K.C., you did not get into this thing to gain fame or even a writer's fee. You got into it because of the outrageous behavior of Michael Nifong and the Duke University Gang of 88 and how they greviously abused their positions of trust.
Indeed, I raise a toast to you and others who have worked hard -- at your own expense -- to bring this hoax to light. Without your efforts, I have no doubt that the defense in this case -- though it had truth on its side -- would have had a much more difficult task ahead of it.
I cannot speak for the families, but I can say that from the perspective of someone who cares about things like wrongful convictions and the abuse of power by government authorities, thank you very much for all you have done. I will raise a glass (or two, or three, or...) tonight in your honor.
9:34pm why don't you post using an alias like some of us? This way here when we see the jc said.. or jc at the bottom of a post we will know it is from the troll poster.
Then we will do to it what we are now doing to the man. Stop feeding it. This is just a thought.
KC whens the next piece I can't wait.
Happy New Years Everyone
victim,
if i post in blue, no one else can use it?
hv mainly used the internet as research, so i don't know about these things
thanks
jc
PS I'm actually flattered that i have an "admirer"--this boy is funny, but i was beginning to wonder y no one was acknowledging my posts--and to b honest--if i had the time--imitating an opinionated bastard like myself must b fun
happy new year to all, and someone let me know about the blue thing
jc don't use blue because when we use links here they come across in blue that will make it to confussing. Please try a name if you are in the show biz field then tailor a name around that? That is just my opinion.
okey-dokey
i'll let u know what name i chose
victim,
roman polanski
happy new year
Rape shield laws spread across the common law world, though generally in a far less drastic form than in the US, because every victim cross-examination opened with 'What were you wearing at the time?' followed quickly by 'And dressed like that, you did not think my client, the defendant, would take it you were available?' An unmarried woman who was not a virgin could expect to be asked why the defendant would not think she was availabel to anyone. A woman without injuries could expect to be asked if she'd resisted and if not, why not.
The rape shield laws obviously need reform, but that is not the same thing as abolition.
It is also not immediately obvious why there should be some special offence of falsely accusing rape but not other crimes. Now where I come from the alleged victim's condut, on facts we now know, would probably amount to perverting the course of justice which carries a sentence of 14 years. Ditto the actions of Nifong. If you want to restrain tyrannical prosecutions you need punish tyrannical prosecutors.
If Nifong had carried out his duties according to law, these indictments would never have happened. The law reform Nifong's conduct calls for should focus on the unchecked power of prosecutors, not reverting sexual assault laws to the Middle Ages.
re above post--
agree, sexual history, wardrobe, etc r irrelevant--but alleged victim's "history" is fair game
RP
I just looked throught the MA Rules of Professional Conduct, and if there is a rule similar to the provision in the NY version regarding "non-legal services," it did not jump out at me. There is a MA provision about application of the Rules to "legal related services" (which include accounting, financial planning, etc.), but I do not know whether this could be interpreted to include television commentary. I also did not see that handy catchall injunction against fraud, deceit etc. that could possibly be used to cover Ms. Murphy's comments. Maybe I missed it. Her nationally televised comments are a disgrace to the legal profession, and I hope something--an employer or a suit for libel/slander/defamation==pulls her up short. Since her conduct is, in fact, highly unprofessional, it would be reasonable to think the Rules of Professional Conduct could apply and work to keep her somewhat in check. It is not clear to me that they do. Maybe some reform is in order?
Observer
K.C., this post knocked my socks off. Rock on!
Her recent USA Today article actually made me stop and write her an email because it was so factually inaccurate it was a little disturbing. These are a few of the things I wrote to her:
First, I urge you to read N.C. Gen. Stat. 8C-1 Rule 412 once again, which discusses the relevance of the victim’s past behavior for rape OR SEXUAL OFFENSE CASES. The statute reads: (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the sexual behavior of the complainant is irrelevant to any issue in the prosecution unless such behavior…(2) Is evidence of specific instances of sexual behavior offered for the purpose of showing that the act or acts charged were not committed by the defendant. Consequently, a judge is likely to be persuaded that the fact that other men’s genetic material was found inside of the complaining witness on the night of the alleged offense (despite her now clearly fabricated claim that she had not had sexual relations for more than a week before the night of the alleged attack) offers a plausible explanation that the alleged sexual offenses (if they in fact occurred) were committed by other men, and not these three defendants. Thus, even with the exclusion of the rape charge, the defense would still be able to introduce the evidence; the Constitution would preclude any other outcome.
Secondly, you missed the mark completely on the photo lineup. You completely gloss over the fact that the lineup violated a host of specific Durham, state, and federal requirements for photo identifications. Why did they choose to deviate from the regulations to begin with?
Finally, uncorroborated double hearsay regarding a $2M payout is completely irrelevant and simply sensational journalism at its best. Even if true, the alumni may be motivated by more than the guilt or innocence of the accused. Anyways, Wendy, feel free to correct me on anything you wish, bet I felt obligated to address some of the glaring problems in your analysis of the issues.
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Thanks for the information. I saw an opinion piece by Murphy in the Wilmington Journal, which showed she is still making some of the same misleading ststements.
I have to think she did a lot of damage to innocent people while a prosecutor, if she had anywhere near the status and power she implies in her cv.
Wendy Murphy is the most logical voice among the "experts" . The vitriol and hideous tone of these comments speaks volumes about the sick American psyche with its hateful bigotry, shallow, even burtal mentality, and programmed direction - anti-thought, anti-women, anti-humane, anti-wisdom. We need more like Wendy and less (who have sold out) like Nancy Grace. Wendy had it right with the Anna Nicole Smith case, unlike the rest of them, when she noted that the cart was put before the horse. Something really smells in that case, and the odor is coming from the Stern camp. Nancy Grace seems on a mission to hide the foul plays going on.
Dear Mr. Reed, Mr. Seligman, and Mr. Finnerty;
It took 395 days, but this travesty has ended. Finally, the State Attorney General came forward and told the world that no crime had occurred, that the prosecutor was out of control, and the accuser was a liar.
So you get to walk free. Which is as it should be. Which is how it should have been within a matter of hours after the accusation was made.
But will there will be justice? Already the media is focusing on that malignant woman's "chaotic life". Already the NC Attorney General's office is indicating that they don't favor pursuing her. The game's afoot; in spite of what she did to you, she's a victim and should be allowed to go on about her miserable life.
And Nifong? Well, if there is any justice at all, he'll wind up disbarred and in prison. That actually could happen; we'll see.
But, as you are aware - as you made very clear in your statements before the press yesterday - there is a larger issue at work here. This issue is the massive degree of discrimination and injustice encountered by men everywhere in this society, in the area of familial and sexual relations.
You can't deny it; you can't question it; you have seen it yourselves. That you weren't destroyed by it is due to two reasons. First, your families have considerable means and could protect you. Second, the accusation was picked up by the national press and therefore the whole nation was looking. ABC News did a good job for you; they were the first (and for a long time the only) media source that was skeptical and avoided a rush to judgement.
Where would you three be if you hadn't been fairly well off, with families behind you and lots of publicity which wound up working for you? You'd be in prison for rape. Your lives would be over, on the word of a drugged-out liar and at the whim of a prosecutor who is a criminal.
Are you three the only ones in the nation who have been subject to such a scurrilous attack? Is Nifong the only rogue prosecutor who is out there?
You know better. At least tens of thousands of men have been railroaded and are being destroyed today by the attitude that was on clear display when you were first accused.
The despicable attitude displayed by the 88 professors at Duke, and by the Duke administration - an attitude which none of them have repudiated - is widely held among campus faculties around the country. These nutty professors are doing their best to indoctrinate men and women who will be our future leaders in the same bile-filled, insane, and contemptible attitudes toward men that they themselves displayed toward you.
So, now you are free at last. But your female accuser is going to walk, unless someone does something. Nifong'll get his, but then he's a man, isn't he? The double standard will bring him down even as it lets her walk. Of course, he happens to deserve it, but she deserves it too.
You now have a decision to make.
You have been massively wronged, and while you will be able to right that wrong to yourselves, the widespread wrong will remain. You are at this point in time uniquely positioned to attack that wrong, and you must do so.
In the Land of the (formerly) Free, a man stands guilty as accused, if his accuser is a woman. A man can be stripped of his home, his property, his children at the whim of a woman, if the man was so foolish as to marry her.
There is a widespread, and totally insane, attitude that a man is a predator and therefore if he isn't guilty today, then he either was yesterday or will be tomorrow, so punishing him is appropriate. The courts have bought into this insanity, with the consequence that men have lost virtually all rights under the Constitution when the matter before the court has to do with family or sex.
Men are literally enslaved paying child support for children that are not theirs - when everyone including the court recognizes and acknowledges the truth that the child is not the man's. (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/missouristatenews/story/5042368FFF852CB6862572B9000B317F?OpenDocument)
The growing witchhunt in this land about sexual abuse is targeted almost exclusively at men. The presumption is that men are indeed predators. Granting that some small percentage are, the fact remains that the very vast majority are not. Even many men say to themselves: "I know that I would never behave that way, but I know that other men do, so I must help catch them." Then, like yourselves, they are appalled when they themselves stand accused, and presumed guilty.
You have experienced it first hand. You were unusually well situated to survive it. Most men are not so well positioned.
And now it is time for you to attack. This attitude must be destroyed. Those who promulgate the attitude (you know who many of them are, just as I know and everyone reading this knows) must be brought down.
To begin, Crystal Gail Mangum must face felony charges for the monstrous thing she did - not just to you, but to all men. She needs to go to prison, if for no other reason than to deter the many other crazy females out there who'll accuse a man on any pretext or none. Women routinely get away with this; it must end.
Nifong needs a nice long prison sentence, and I certainly hope that your lawsuit strips him of literally everything.
And beyond them is Duke University. And the 88 nutty professors. And the National Organization of Women. And an increasingly poisonous culture that is determined to destroy men.
There are millions of men who will join you. But you must lead. At this point in time, no one but you can lead this fight.
Hey Bill Anderson: She Teaches a class every semester....I took it last year. Should do a little better research. (Don't be what you are accusing her of). No question she missed it on the Duke case, but she has an interesting and passionate perspective on our system that is worth debate! Pretty good chance she had some inside facts you didn't, and the news didn't release. Again I think she was wrong about the Duke case but she's an entertaining commentator and a good Prof. So you disagree with her...great...calm down, she's not Brian Williams she is meant to come from a certain perspective on these shows. The Idea that she should be disbarred, or not teach is really crazy.
I know Wendy Murphy personally. And i have to say, she takes her strange approach to arguing even in a personal setting. Unwilling and unable to see any truth but her own, Ms. Murphy is the definition of stubborn. Her motto, "All men are rapists and all women are victims" will undermine the justice system and bring an end to what we know as "civil liberties". Thank god she is the minority in this argument or we would all be screwed.
Poor twisted woman. It's obvious that she has no life, and her professional career has sunk to the point of mouthing FOX propaganda commentaries. What a waste of a law degree!
What makes me sick concerning Wendy Murphy is her thinly veiled attempt to hide behind being a "CHILD ADVOCATE" when in relaity she is clearly a women's activist without regard to anything male. I have written to Fox News' Bill O'rielly several times asking him to use another commentary. I have tried to point out her clear women's rights, women's lib agenda. I consider myself very right leaning but Wendy Murphy is a piece of work with her women's agenda. PLEASE Fox News, get someone else besides Murphy! Murphy has an agenda! Her opinions are strongly tainted! She makes me sick! Seek another person! Let Wendy Murphy go her way dictating that men are bad and women are good. Let Wendy Murphy stand on the opinion that women should be allowed to run wild. Let Wendy Murphy advocate for child rapists as long as they are female, spouting there is a difference between the male child rapist verses the female child rapist and that the female needs less control. Go figure!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vNggdW3lZ8
Murphy is not an expert. She lies everytime she opens her foul mouth and yes, she wears combat boots and is as fascist as they come.
She's just been running her mouth tonight on the JonBenet Ramsey case - and once again she is calamitously wrong, still claiming the parents are guilty as far as I can tell. Even Nancy Grace has given up on that, but not the insane (IMO) Ms Murphy.
Who commits most sex crimes? Well, 95% of all new sex crimes are committed by those NOT on the registry. Family members and those known to the family commit 98% of all sex crimes. So much for stranger danger.
2nd question. Who is MORE LIKELY to committ a sex crime upon release from prison? Sex Offenders or NON-sex offenders?
For the answer, go here. www.cfcoklahoma.org and see the article, "Revisiting Department of Justice Recidivism Statistics and More Shocking Truths."
Are there any links to the full transcripts of these interviews? I am interested to read these quotes in context.
It is unfortunate that Wendy Murphy has been attacked for speaking up for victims. Perpetrators have always tried to discredit their victims. I applaud Dr. Murphy's decision to stand up for the those who are on the short side of the law. Now the rich and powerful try to discredit her. Truth and the messengers of truth will always be be lambasted by those who wish to take down the young and poor. I applaud Ms. Murphy and her efforts to bring justice to victims.
I heard Wendy expound on Jane Mitchell - Why theree is not a concerted effort to stop child abductions
I am just sick and tired of turning on the TV
And seeing that another child is missing or another adult has disappeared.
We can do something about this.
Are you aware that N.A.S.A. Takes videos of the entire U.S. - 24 / 7
They have night vision capability, and are able to get very detailed Video.
I have heard they can see the date on a dime from space
My question is:
It seems many are afraid to stir the kettle.
The method is there to solve these crimes and possibly saves lives
Why doesn't N.A.S.A. Use its technology to give to police when someone goes missing.
Within hours they could turn over the recorded period of the abduction area to the police from the time of the abduction
The police could then view and zoom in on the Area of the abduction
And see what type of activity there was around the area EVEN AT NIGHT
And then follow any suspicious people or cars seen in the video to where they next went -
You know as will as I One case solved in this way would definitely put a BIG dent into these crimes.
This would have solved the Caylee Anthony case, The Haliegh Cummings Case, The Trenton Duckette case,
The Sandra Cantu case, the Polly Klaas Case, The Stacy and Lacy Peterson cases .......etc etc, etc.
Why don't they do it -- Obama and his Liberal cronies would all be crying ‘Big Brother’ and invasion of privacy
I think its just another way our society has misplaced its values.
Finding a child is much more important than any loss of freedoms we may have to endure
The Technology IS THERE.
Bill Tomsick
Cape Coral FL
216 759 6345
I always hated her. Such a bitch with an agenda to put falsely accused men behind bars.
Murphy’s bizarre claims to USA Today prompted me to perform a Lexis/Nexis search of her myriad case-related appearances. Best Solicitors in london The results were deeply disturbing.
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