David Evans

Next up is David Evans (Dave Evans' father).

Has practiced law for 36 years.

Dave loves Duke--made some great friends at Duke. Did well academically--3.4 GPA, made All-ACC academic team each year. Started in 2005 national championship game.

First hears from his son on the 17th; got a call a little after 1pm--first thing he says is that he made a mistake, knows it, wants to describe the situation to him.

For next 10-14 days, Dave and other captains repeatedly apologize to Duke officials for hosting the party and hiring dancers; prepare written statement that accepts responsibility for the shame that it had brought on Duke and the families.

Zash, Evans, and Flannery did exactly what a prosecutor and police would want--cooperated fully. Gave statements from 5-7 hours, written statements, DNA offer, 7-page written statement by Dave; this statement basically a carbon copy of the AG's report. Went to police uncounseled; had not called either of his parents.

Dean Sue from Duke advised them to cooperate fully and tell the truth if police came to them.

"Floored" by Nifong statements that there was a stonewall of silence and that players wouldn't cooperate.

Points out that Nifong has lawyers--despite his statement calling into question the wisdom of hiring lawyers if you're innocent.

"We were eager to try to share information with Mr. Nifong. We were eager for Joe to talk to Mr. Nifong, or to allow Dave to be questioned by Mr. Nifong."

Statements maligned the entire team. Whole families "were under attack by Mr. Nifong. Our entire world changed as a result of these unethical statements that were made."

Every day, his son feels terrible about hosting the party--"these statements tore a lot of people apart." His son is very strong, proud of the way that he's handling everything.

His son has "led the way in handling this outrageous situation well, looking out not only for himself but his friends."

Knew at the end of April that Nifong was targeting Dave, but still hoped that reason would prevail. Find out about indictments just after baccalaureate ceremony at Duke, right before graduation. Had his job offer from JP Morgan withdrawn.

Continuing effects of indictments. "Lost sleep again last night" after hearing Nifong's statements. Did a yahoo search--"Dave Evans," "Duke lacrosse"--more than 5M hits.

Developed stress-induced diabetes as a result--trouble sleeping: learned that he had to "prove his innocence." "Know I had a lot of stress."

Dave's grandfather (89 years old) went regularly to Duke lacrosse games. "Took it very very hard . . . He was consumed with the case. Would say, 'Why is this DA going forward? Look at all the evidence.'"

Had sudden heart attack Aug. 20. "Great regret" that he died before he heard that the system worked and Dave was declared innocent.

Reaction to Nifong's comments yesterday? Resonated with him when Nifong said that he wanted his son to be proud of him. 'Less than candid if I didn't tell you how disappointed I was, and the Finertys, and the Seligmanns, when asked by the chair whether he felt whether a sexual assault occurred, he had a difficult time answering, and then said that something happened."

"I have a real hard time with that. I don't accept it." AG comprehensive inquiry. What did they find? They found that the accuser is a liar with a mental health history. Blasts Nifong for calling Crystal Mangum as a victim yesterday. He placed his career and reputation on a woman he didn't interview; then hears from AG that nothing happened--and he says he still thinks that something happened that night.

"That takes me all the way back to late March of last year when he began his unethical public statements."

[This was a statement of extraordinary power and grace.]