Lane Williamson's cross-examination
Q: When did you form a belief that a rape occurred?
A: Opinions of two officers and the SANE nurse.
Q: Even after you dismissed the rape charges, you personally believed that a sexual assault occurred?
A: Yes.
Q: When did your view change?
A: Aware of AG's report; understands AG's reasons why there was "not sufficient credible evidence" to go forward. Hasn't seen all their evidence, but can't cite a specific example.
Q: As we sit here today, do you have a personal belief as to whether a sexual assault occurred?
A: [Pauses for several seconds.] I think something happened in that bathroom, but it was not a sexual assault. Could have been non-sexual assault or intimidation. Something happened to make everybody leave that scene very quickly.
"I probably would have been well served to make myself more familiar" with Code of Professional Responsibility. Says that he looked at the rule about the same time he concluded that he needed to stop making the statements. Had some non-lawyer friends who suggested to him that he was talking too much.
Says he can't recall when he first saw the Cheshire letter warning him about the preprimary publicity barrage.
Also: stopped making statements because he figured they weren't working--no one was coming forward. "Misunderstanding of some of the specifics of the rules."
Q: At any time, did Nifong refer to the Rules of Professional Conduct, for any purpose?
A: Yes--at some point. Recall specifically looking at Rule 3.8, and also the exceptions in Rule 3.6 with regard to the kinds of things that he could say.
Claims that many of his statements had a legitimate law enforcement purpose--"attempting to appeal to their conscience" (of the lacrosse players).
Q: How could this purpose possibly be served by speaking to non-local media?
A: "That turned out to be a really bad idea."
Hadn't heard of these shows this case.
Political issues: Nifong says that the case had more of a negative effect than a positive effect.
Williamson notes that he made many statements about the lacrosse case at political functions.
Nifong denies that the NCCU forum appearance was political--just an attempt to keep the lid on. Problem was created by defense attorneys' press conference on DNA test results the previous day. "Highly energized atmosphere" at the forum.
Suggests that defense lawyers' press conference of April 10 was inappropriate--they don't have right to publicly give results of tests.
Not sure how he chose the word "hooligan." "Just a word that popped into my head."
Q: At 9-22 hearing, when the DNA issue came up, why didn't he just go to the report?
A: Doesn't know why he didn't.
Post-Dec. 15th press conference--suggests he was misquoted by N&O that privacy concerns explained why he didn't turn over the exculpatory male DNA. Yet the N&O reporters have Nifong's comments on tape.
Wm'son: Even Meehan eventually admitted that privacy concerns had nothing to do with the presence of unidentified male DNA.
Wm'son: "Oxymoron to say that unidentified males have privacy concerns, because we don't know who they are."
Wm'son: Privacy concerns can't be the rationale in any way for withholding the DNA.
Admits that he hasn't watched the entire April 4 photo array--probably watched 3/4s of it. Can't recall specifically when he watched it.
[This is the same Mike Nifong who on May 1 said that he was so busy with the case that he didn't have time for reading "fiction"--that is, Kirk Osborn's motion laying out Reade Seligmann's alibi.]
Admits that he probably didn't watch the video of the photo array before the Finnerty and Seligmann indictments--and that he's not even sure that he had even read the transcript of the 4-4 lineup before seeking indictments against Finnerty and Seligmann.
Williamson openly mocks Nifong's assertion that it's OK to try rape cases under the "old-fashioned way."
Denies that he was involved in the decision to prosecute Elmostafa. This claim is scarcely credible.
Nifong has just concluded his testimony.
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124 comments:
Nifong, Something happened?
He's dead.
Fry the lying a**hole.
Slime to the end.
JLS says....,
I agree what a jerk.
He is now talking to the AA community and to throw mud to the boys. He is going down and he figures if he can bring the guys down with him, it is a fair deal. Nifong should burn in hell!
Non lawyers? what about the defense fax?
He does not read faxes or reports or deiscovery motions.
Yeah, something happened to send everyone home. The exotic dancers bored the guys silly. The photo evidence proves that much.
He's a monster, total monster.
oops, it not wrong, it just did not work
"Something happened in the bathroom?" Is he totally nuts? I don't think there's a shred of evidence that there was ever a party goer in the bathroom at the same time as the entertainer.
Perhaps her fingernails were talking to her?
He just ensured years of being prosecuted in the civil and criminal courts by making that "something happened" statement (if it wasn't already guaranteed). He deserves to be stripped of every cent.
something happened
Nifong is reduced to potbanger status, felonious potbanging, but potbanging never the less.
He's arguing I stop not because of ethics but it did not work.
What a idiot.
Apparently it is suspicious and possibly in violation of Durham law to leave a party when it is over.
Insanity is the last defense.
Well its apparent that he is not familiar with alot of rules as well as statutes.
Williamson just wanted Brocker to shut up so he could utterly shred Nifong himself.
Good for you, nifong.
I like a guy who does not let laws and rules get in the way when railroading innocent people.
Joe Cheshire's blood pressure just went through the roof.
I agree w/the poster on the other thread, "something happened" in that bathroom is going to ensure civil suits are coming.
Heck, it might even prompt them to sue the lying whore herself and put her up there on the witness stand for all to see once and for all that she is a lying whorebag.
Cut him some slack. He was learning on the job.
Seems to me (and I'm no lawyer) that Williamson is giving him EVERY chance in the world to exonerate himself and he is failing to do so.
This is all the AA community needed to hear (and the Gang of 88). The 'something happened' theory is now alive and well and I am afraid it will remain alive and well for ever. That's what Nifong's objective was. He wants to label these guys forever, just like he has been labeled as a liar and a loser. This is his revenge. Nifong should go to prison. NC Bar should not tolerate this monster to wonder around.
I think Williamson is honestly trying to understand what was in his mind, why he did this....
This is so far out of the bounds of even your typical prosecutor misbehavior, nobody can believe it is as bad as it is.
JLS says...,
re: anon 6:40
I agree Williams is probing to see if he is smart enough to grab onto any life-ring. The answer is no, he is too stupid.
Interesting, isn't it, how he didn't have time to read his mail but did have time to chat with his non-lawyer friends about how much he was talking about the case?
"Apparently it is suspicious and possibly in violation of Durham law to leave a party when it is over."
Best line of the night time session.
I cannot wait to hear what Cheshire has to say about tonight's remarks now that Nifong has begun sliming the lacrosse players again. Cheshire's afternoon comments were totally precious!
If would just watch tv he would have know what was going on with the case. Regarding the party, teenagers genrally follow the good time and that party was a bust when the dancers they hired for 2 hours fizzled out after 7 minutes.
JLS says....,
re: anon 6:43
It is shocking that this is how bad a DA must be to a year later get forced from his job. That does not reassure me much. There is a wide gap between Nifongs behavior and an ethical prosecutor.
6:42
I believe he may have sealed his disbarment with the 'something happened' statement.
The bar might have taken his license away for a few years, but with him today, claiming he doesn't really know why the AG dropped the charges, putting out 'not enough credible evidence' I believe they will disbar him.
The AG said she was lying, making things up as she was interviewed. Himan said it was clear she was lying.
If SOMETHING HAPPENED in the bathroom, why did she never say what it was? Was it 3 other lacrosse players who got away with it because we know for a fact that 2 of the 3 accused were not in the house....
This is the last straw I think for him, in trying to land a last blow against Joe Cheshire and the 3 students, he's sealed his fate.
I think the line of questioning is to determine 5 year disbarment vs lifetime ban ?
Chances are the house and other holdings and the bank accounts are all already in Nifong's wife's name. I still say, get his DNA and test it for a match.
Excellent.
His political motives just hit the fan.
Hands on head.... great
Tying LAX case statements made at political forums. Nailed. He really is done. Fork, meet Mike. Mike, meet fork.
Do you suppose the Govenor has heard - Something Happend - How about the AG??
blaming the defense again, his lawyer should beat him in the head with a baseball bat to get him to shut up and stop making his situation worse.
Yes, the house is in his wife's name. One can only hope the wife will dump him and he will be living in a homeless shelter.
"Problem was created by defense attorneys' press conference on DNA test results the previous day."
And I didn't think I could feel any greater contempt.
Wow....and to think that just a few hours ago, some folks were feeling sorry for this guy after he shed a few crocodile tears.
I very strongly believe that Duff Wilson will emphasize in tomorrow's story on today's proceedings that the prosecutor (i.e., informed opinion) still thinks that there was an assault.
smirking while discussing houligans
Asking about "hooligans". I was hoping for that. Nifong smiling slightly as he responds.
The ultimate fault lies with the lacrosse players. If they hadn't had a party with strippers we wouldn't be here today. {sarcasm}
This man is a complete idiot. Laughing when asked where he got the word "hooligan". Nice move, Mike.
Ahahaha...soccer hooligans. Gotcha!
This guy has absolutely no future. He is ruined.
Maybe while in court, his son can ask to have his last name changed right now.
Funny watching him smile as he describes using the "hooligans".
See, he was just kidding with the little tykes.
whats striking here, as i watch wral broadcast on net while reading KCs posts is, how incredibly stupid nifong is
Stupid, or simply arrogant.
You know, I think he's so full of hubris that he really thinks he's smarter than everyone else and that he can pull this off.
He's not stupid; he's arrogant.
Williamson will break him down if it takes all night!
Pity his attorneys, can't call a recess to slow this train wreck down. The more he talks, the bigger the hole he digs.
Is it me or has his voiced morphed into a denture wearer in the last few hours?
Aimed at the Finnerty family I bet. It's an old ethnic slur esp. in the UK used against the Irish in Manchester and Liverpool. It came to be soccer but because it was related to the soccer rivalries there, ethnic rivalries.
With the "something happened in that bathroom" statement, Nifong probably just signed up for a civil lawsuit from the families. I sure wouldn't let it slide. I'd nail him to the wall!!!!
I have been practicing law for over 25 years. All kidding aside, this man combines incompetence and deviousness in a way I have never encountered.
What POSSIBLE reason would he have for taking the stand? [It can only be that he has deceived himself in believing that he is so brilliant he can bamboozle the panel.]
What POSSIBLE reason would he have for continuing his lies on the stand? [Same as above.]
haha it's an oxymoron to have privacy concerns about unidentified males. In other words, Mikey, you're a liar.
I doubt he's personally liable, but some legal action against him personally would go far to clean him out. Probably protected by insurance of the City or County.
Duke will probably make a deal with a keep quiet clause. After all, there's a million each in legal fees at stake here, a clear rush to judgment, and some very very defamatory things tacitly supported by the University (gang of 88), not to mention firing the coach.
So much for innocent until proven guilty.
OK, I have rarely posted over the past six months, but I have to ask: Does anyone else see the passive-aggressive nature of Mikey's answers? I think he is truly enjoying driving the room nutz with his b.s. responses.
Yes, finish off meehan now, could not happen to a nicer guy
He can always plead insanity when he has to defend himself in court later. Mrs. Nifong can divorce him and preserve alot of their assets.
He is a narcissist and a sociopath. He does not care who he hurts or libels along the way.
The crazier he responds for the record, the more proof there is later that he is mental and not responsible for his behaviour. He is crazy like a fox.
Williamson still makes me nervous. He should be rebutting these ridiculous allegations./
She is not a victim and he has no right to make any further comment about what he thinks may or may not have happened. He can't even discuss his own reports!
Does anyone think that the panel will issue any type of ruling tonight?
How did the first two judges let so much of this slime pass through their court rooms?
Betcha he'll be on CNN next month as a legal analyst for Gretta Van Popeye.
I just came to a scary realization I have looked at more of the evidence in this case than the prosecutor.
I think the testimony today about his rivalry with the woman he ran against, and his 28 years as a schlubb pretty much sum up the true purpose/motivation behind his moves in this case. He wanted to be elected and be the big dog.
He said if he didn't win the election, he'd have quit rather than work for the rival.
He's just another moron working for a municipality or governmental worker who was unfit for the job, and dug a deeper and deeper hole for himself. He did about 80 press conferences, and probably gambled that this was a very big case with huge ramifications.
If he turned out to be right and took down the LAX players, he could parlay it into bigger political jobs. God only knows what delusions of grandeur passed through his head.
I do not worry about Williamson. He will speak when it comes time to announce verdict and during Phase 2, penalty. Then we will hear Williamson at his best...
Alev says:
The April 4th photo id wasn't "entertaining" enough for MN to watch the whole thing...but something happened in that bathroom.
I'm speechless.
Iraqi Minister of Information? (Baghdad Bob?)
He is as big as the ex-Iraqi Minister of Bullshit.
Great analogy. Instead of Baghdad Bob we've Durham Mike.
Apparently this man is completely opposed to The Innocence Project. DNA evidence should never clear an innocent person.
Okay, I was diagnosed with bronchitis today (sitting in the doctor's waiting room was AGONY because I had to leave this site), and now I really need to eat some chicken soup, but I can't pry myself from the computer.
I live in NC; does Durham have another set of lawyers ready to head off the civil ligitation as he was an elected official?
Now he's waxing about the good old days before DNA evidence. He doesn't like having the facts interfere with his decision.
The interest in this case for me, aside from living in Chapel Hill, and seeing how the black community acted out over this (including in Chapel Hill) rests in the implications of what happens EVERY DAY in America at the hands of the Nifongs of the world. If you don't have big money, you're in a lot of trouble.
Mike did nothing admirable today. He admitted he sucks and will resign, only after he took a skewering 8 ways from Sunday. He has been shown to have been reckless and irresponsible. Meanwhile, the Council of Durham did squat throughout all of this.
Mike pandered to the black community, played his hand, and crapped out.
"If he turned out to be right and took down the LAX players, he could parlay it into bigger political jobs."
He didn't have to be right...he just had to get away with it. This is what is so scary about his abuse of his position as a prosecutor. Once the young men are sent away, game over and the prosecutor wins.
You can't have it both ways Mike.
"believable victim"
Yes folks`, nifong just said that.
Besides being a narcissist, and I mean a terminal one, my psych background is attuned to his increased verbosity.
The personality disordered can cause lot of havoc on society.
You are looking at it.
He doesn't read files or reports, he doesn't watch videos, he "doesn't think of it", "doesn't know why" he did or did not do something ....what does he do, throw the I Ching or something? Just when you think Nifong could not possibly bring more disgrace on himself and Durham, he does.
The look of disbelief on Colin Finnerty's face is priceless.
Nice watching the smiles and whispers in the courtroom.
Wm'son was finished, but Mike talked too long and opened up another line of questioning.
Now Wm'son is acting like he's trying to understand exactly what Nifong's major malfunction is.
Williamson could have made a stronger distinction between
(A) Accuser's testimony in the absence of DNA evidence (the "old-fashioned" situation)
and
(B) Accuser's testimony where the DNA tests have turned up unknown males but none of the accused.
Is Elmostafa the cab driver?
Williamson could have made a stronger distinction between
He could have, but I think he knows what he's dealing with now and doesn't see the point.
I think the lacrosse players are high fiving each other in the court house now.
MrRabbit: Durham, the hospital, and (if it goes that far)the University will quietly settle. This case stinks like a dead whale on the beach. Only a lawyer as lame as Nifong would want see civil litigation go to full term. A review of real estate records seems to indicate that Mike is a co owner of his home. I dont know if the law will allow his wife Cy to keep her half. I guess a judge will decide. The County will pony up compensatory damages as soon as somebody says boo to them, unless, like their former D.A., they are incredibly stupid. One gets the impression that Durham County is a miniature bananna republic.
Dang the more he talks the deeper the doo doo gets
I just thought of the damage done the the LAX coach, too.
Thank GOD the truth has come out.
Is the plan to have a decision tonight?
JLS says...
Mike Nifong, No sir I am as dumb as doornail.
Thanks Right Angles for the printed site. I am hearing impaired and unless on Courtv with CC, unable to hear the trial.
Note Nifong states "decided there was a rape" prior to start of TV appearances on March 27th due to police and SANE nurse. Sane urse report not out until the 31st and not picked up until first week of April, Never talked with her until the middle of June. It is all a lie,
Dang, if Nifong had spent 20 minutes a day reading DIW he would have been Sooooo much more informed.
He's a weasal, and he's slick. He's setting himself up to be a hero in the black community.
He'll make bucks, and the next thing you know, he'll be co-hosting with Rosie or Nancy or something.
And the Gang of 88 will live happily ever after.
America today.
Finally, the infamous levicy.
A face to go with all the blogs.
She looks scared.
Mike considers himself to be right and he's arrogant enough to believe it. Everyone's wrong bout old Mike.
Mike considers himself to be right and he's arrogant enough to believe it. Everyone's wrong but old Mike.
^^^ that doesn't help. Idiot
She doesn't look scared at all. You're dreaming. This is going to be a defacto trial of the lacrosse players. And Nifong is going to come out smelling like a rose...
This is one of the slickest defenses I've ever seen. Nifong will present himself as a misunderstood hero, backed up by Levicy. He's already resigned. He has a huge backing already in the US hate industry, and the US black comminuty. He's going to be more financially secure in his retirement than he ever would retiring as a local civil servant.
America today.
Unless the NC Bar is ready to tear this woman apart, the Duke Lacosse kids are going to be in more trouble than had this gone to trial...
I hope they know this.
America today.
Unless the NC Bar is ready to tear this woman apart, the Duke Lacosse kids are going to be in more trouble than had this gone to trial...
How do you figure that? Unless you believe a crime was really committed, that is.
People have to realize the greater picture here which was the advancement of the PC/multiculti narrative in America. Sure, Nifong's initial motive to continue with a case he quickly knew was a fraud was personal, but beyond that it evolved into promoting the interests of one side in the culture wars.
Has anyone heard if Brodhead might have offered Nifong a position at Duke Law School?
Didn't Himan say...I know this is heresay that Wilson told "Nifong wants the arrest warrant execute dand Nifong wants to know when he's picked up'
Did I dream that/
It's all about inuendo. That'swhat's so sad. I hope I'm wrong.
America today.
Is Elmostafa the cab driver?
Yes; stepped up to the plate and did the right thing. I hope someone helped him out with his legal fees.
Is Elmostafa the cab driver?
Yes; stepped up to the plate and did the right thing. I hope someone helped him out with his legal fees.
Nifong's arrogance in handling this case, and his answers today has just set back the way rape cases are prosecuted at least 50 years. Plus, the actions of his "allies" in claiming at this date that "something happened" have placed the people of Durham in a poor light, and show that there are still racial problems in some areas of the South.
I've been either watching the proceedings on Court TV, or listing on Sirius Radio this week (I'm recovering from knee surgery and going to Physical Therapy every morning). Reade Seligmann and Brad Bannon both impressed me with their willingness to do hat needed to be done to clear the names of those wrongfully accused, and the pain that they and their families went through.
Note to the people of Durham - Nifong represented you in the courtroom for almost 30 years...how many other people could have been wrongfully convicted? What about the members of the police department, and their questionable tactics? And others, like Victoria Peterson and the G88, who continue to spew their vitriol to anyone with a notepad or video camera, don't place your city or Duke University in a good light. Unfortunately, this nightmare will not be going away anytime soon...
fmfnavydoc
7:34 -- Heard the same thing about Brodhead and the law school. Trying to help the public perception of the law school after Coleman comments.
"Something happened to make everybody leave that scene very quickly."
Yes...we all know what happened that night... the lying whore didn't perform the services expected of her, the boys wanted the money back, and she objected. So the boys took their money back and left the "buzz kill" party to seek some fun on a Friday night. After all, what else would you do if you were hyper competitive athletes with awesome grades and wanted to relax a little bit?
I hope when they sue Nifong and DNA Lab and Duke and NC and Raleigh...they include that $800 in their suit on one of them. Hmmm....make Nifong pay for her!
Knifong didn't talk to Crystal Meth at a time when it mattered the most and yet he was able to form and maintain the opinion that something happened to CM. How intelligent! This must what those judges meant when they referred to his integrity.
10:05
What do you mean by that comment?
I despise Nifong, but pity his son to havea father like Nifong.
Did the son say anything? What did I miss?
"How did the first two judges let so much of this slime pass through their court rooms?"
How did three more judges , after all that has been revealed this week, stand up to be character witnesses on his behalf?
Something is seriously f*ed in NC.
And I disagree that he thought he could get through this hearing because he's crazy. He thought he could get away with it because most of the judges he's known would have let him.
"Nifong's arrogance in handling this case, and his answers today has just set back the way rape cases are prosecuted at least 50 years."
Back to before the days of "Women never lie"?
Good.
redcybra 7:09 -- He doesn't read files or reports, he doesn't watch videos, he "doesn't think of it", "doesn't know why" he did or did not do something ....what does he do, throw the I Ching or something?
You need to recognize that Nifong and the Gang of 88 hold the truth in such high regard that they need to protect it from reality.
Once Nifong's been disbarred, maybe they'll hire him to be a law professor at Duke.
After all, the Duke has to balance out Coleman somehow.
The NC Bar lawyers missed a chance to destroy Nifong's lies. Where was the pitiless cross-examination? Either these lawyers were unprepared or they don't know how to confront a witness who has told a myriad of lies. This is just disgusting and it paves the way for Nifong to get off with a suspension of his license rather than disbarment, a result that he so richly deserves
Oh, I think he'll be disbarred, but he crux of the matter is that gross incompetence isn't a criminal offense. The "aw, shucks, did I do that?" defense is calculated to keep him from facing criminal charges. I don't think anyone in the room believes he's that stupid, but just like it's hard to come up with concrete evidence you didn't do something that never happened, it's difficult to prove motive.
I am appauled. I cannot believe he had the audacity to say that even today he believes something happened. Any points he might have garnered with the cynical ploy just washed down the drain.
Unbelievable.
Truly jaw-dropping.
Is there a ten run rule at the DHC?
How would you feel if you were Andy-Damn-Dufresne sitting in Central Prison right now serving a sentence imposed upon you by a Durham County jury persuaded by Michael Nifong?
I guess he realized he was so far up "the" creek he couldn't now admit that he knew they didn't do it, because then it will all seem like a fraud and a scam ab initio. I guess he is trying to play "that dumb lying skank duped me too" card.
Granted, this is the first time Nifong has railed roaded three people, so maybe it is just a rookie mistake.
After all, Crystal G. has experience filing false rape charges against three men.
The fact that she has yet to be held accountable to any degree whatsoever tells you all you need to know about why much of the black population remains mired in mediocrity. No accountability, no expectations, blame it all on someone else, courtesy of the white leftists who constantly want to blame except their own in-house voting bloc.
Group of 88: Had enough yet? Repent! Repent! Repent!
"Granted, this is the first time Nifong has railed roaded three people...."
What makes you think that?
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