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Comments and analysis about the Duke/Nifong case (2006-2014).
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- "From the Scottsboro Boys to Clarence Gideon, some of the most memorable legal narratives have been tales of the wrongly accused. Now “Until Proven Innocent,” a new book about the false allegations of rape against three Duke lacrosse players, can join these galvanizing cautionary tales . . , Taylor and Johnson have made a gripping contribution to the literature of the wrongly accused. They remind us of the importance of constitutional checks on prosecutorial abuse. And they emphasize the lesson that Duke callously advised its own students to ignore: if you’re unjustly suspected of any crime, immediately call the best lawyer you can afford."--Jeffrey Rosen, New York Times Book Review
Links
Motions and Documents
- Attorney General's Report
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- Brewer removal motion
- Nifong December 28 letter to Bar
- Nifong January 16 letter to Bar
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34 comments:
"I'll be able to say more in two days"
That means Meehan cut a deal with the Duke 3 to get out of the lawsuit.
Meehan's new career: Singing. Like a canary.
He could land a fine job as a game-show host. He did a good imitation of that in the disbarment hearing.
Is Jeopardy still on?
" “I’ll be able to say more in two days,” Meehan said"
What is his new job? Here are some possibilities:
- Professor, NCCU
- Head of Ethics, DUMC
- Congressman
- Scientific Director, NAACP
Sorry if this post is all over the place. I have been thinking and not posting for awhile.
First and foremost, I would like to thank our resident Diva and MOO Gregory. Their posts never cease to amuse me. And of course KC, who as we all know, had a minor role in this whole Duke affair
Right now, as a graduate student, I am taking a course entitled “Leadership in exercise, leadership, and sport.” Part of the class is a 3-5 minute speech of “What leadership means to me.” I went last Tuesday, and talked about who has been influential in my life from a leadership standpoint (by the way, read John Maxwell’s 21 Laws and 21 Characteristics of a Leader. Other than the other being quite full of him, they are very good books).
Anyway, I was walking Tuesday night and wish I had finished with this paragraph:
“We have all read about what to do to be a good leader, but the great leaders learn from heir’s and other’s mistakes. The best example of learning about leadership mistakes would to read the novel ‘Until Proven Innocent’, a story on the debacle of justice and academia in the Duke lacrosse affair. The administration, faculty, and board of trustees of Duke and the Durham police department have exhibited little to no good judgment in handling a crisis. I do not even know where to begin. You would have to read it to believe it. Reading those more than 400 pages of this affair, you would have to learn something about leadership.”
And speaking of the (lack thereof) leadership, we must commend the lacrosse players, especially the three accused. They owned up and immediately apologized for their actions.
As for the Public Relations at Duke, the first rule of good PR is to appoint a go to guy (a point person if you will). Any questions directed to anyone affiliated with Duke should be answered with, “no comment.” On page 63 where K.C. states the faculty demanded immediate action be taken to the lacrosse team, it should have been very clear to the faculty they speak with one voice. Any comments by staff or faculty could not only bring individual lawsuits, but lawsuits against the university as a whole if in a capacity of the university setting (how can anyone argue the ad is not in direct violation of respondent superior).
Brodhead should not have spoken on the incident; he should have just responded all comments would go through Duke PR.
And part of the settlement should have been to make Duke and a faculty representative apologize for the actions of this group. They say they do not speak with one voice. I am done defending the majority of the signers for a radical few. They signed their name. Right or wrong, they are a group. If a person or a group affiliated with a sports team does something stupid, it is not “so and so did this,” it is “look at what the (insert sport here) team did.”
Until proven innocent should be required reading for all college administrators.
Although we need more information on this development, it would seem that Meehan has not lost his job because of his obvious ethical lapses, his violation of the company's own regulations, or because he destroyed DNA Security's reputation and credibility in front of the State Bar. Instead, he appears to have lost his job because of the company's legal liability in the lawsuit. I don't know if he's not as fortunate as Brodhead and Ashley, or if it's simply another one bites the dust. Stay tuned.
JLS says...,
I wonder what he will be able to say in two days that he can not say today? I guess he is working out settlement details still?
Published: Nov 12, 2007 07:09 PM
Modified: Nov 12, 2007 07:09 PM
Head of DNA lab in lacrosse case loses job
By Anne Blythe, Staff Writer
Brian Meehan, head of the private lab that did DNA testing for Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong in the Duke lacrosse case, is out of a job.
Reached at his home in Elon this afternoon, Meehan confirmed that he no longer worked for DNA Security in Burlington.
But he declined to elaborate further. “I’ll be able to say more in two days,” Meehan said.
So, sometime this afternoon (Wednesday, Nov 14, 2007), he'll be able to say more.
Of course, that doesn't mean he will....
H-S:
DNA lab faces suit without accused chief
By John Stevenson : The Herald-Sun
DURHAM -- The sudden, so-far unexplained departure of a DNA laboratory director involved in the Duke lacrosse case has lawyers speculating about possible ramifications for a civil lawsuit arising from the scandal, in which three athletes were falsely accused of sexually attacking an exotic dancer last year.
It was confirmed Tuesday that scientist Brian Meehan, accused in the lawsuit of participating in a lacrosse cover-up, no longer is director of the private DNA Security lab in Burlington. He could not be reached for comment.
The new lab director is Joel Chimera, who said he wasn't at liberty to discuss Meehan's departure. DNA Security lawyer Bob Sar was also close-mouthed on the subject.
Meehan is a defendant in the civil lawsuit, along with the city, defrocked former District Attorney Mike Nifong and various police officials.
Some attorneys predict the change in lab directorship bodes ill for DNA Security, while others speculate it will make no difference to the pending federal litigation, since Meehan remains a defendant.
"I don't think it's going to have any bearing on the lawsuit," said Sar. "I wish it would, but I don't think it will."
The suit alleges, among other things, that Meehan and Nifong conspired to withhold DNA evidence favorable to three lacrosse defendants: Collin Finnerty, Reade Seligmann and David Evans.
Such evidence indicated the accuser had engaged in sexual activity with other men, but not the indicted suspects or any other Duke lacrosse players.
N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper declared all three defendants innocent in April.
Nifong subsequently resigned as district attorney, lost his law license and spent a night in jail.
The federal lawsuit characterizes the lacrosse incident as "one of the most chilling episodes of premeditated police, prosecutorial and scientific misconduct in modern American history."
Many lawyers were scratching their heads Tuesday over Meehan's abrupt departure from DNA Security.
"I don't know whether he personally did wrong," attorney James D. "Butch" Williams, who represented an un-indicted player, said. "But he should have been the shepherd to make sure the right persons were identified with the right [DNA] samples. He could have been a stopgap to make sure what was being done was correct. His should have been an objective standard. Unfortunately, it wasn't."
Williams said Meehan's departure from DNA Security won't help the lab in its defense of the civil lawsuit.
Lawyer Bill Thomas, who also represented an un-indicted lacrosse player, agreed.
"What was done in the Duke lacrosse case was an obvious violation of scientific protocol," said Thomas. "I think it would jeopardize the accreditation of DNA Security. It seems to pose significant accreditation problems for the company. His [Meehan's] departure is not at all surprising."
Thomas agreed that Meehan's departure won't garner any laurels for DNA Security as it fights the federal lawsuit.
"Subsequent remedial actions are not admissible in a civil case," said Thomas.
DNA labs throughout the country are accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors. DNA Security is one of three private laboratories accredited in North Carolina, one of only 20 in the entire nation.
N&O
H-S letter:
Voters should show ID
When I voted in Tuesday's election for the first time in North Carolina after moving here from South Carolina, where I had been a poll manager for many years, I was dismayed by two procedures.
First, I was not asked for ID. I merely gave my name, confirmed that I was living at the address given, and signed my name. I could have voted as any female whose name and address I knew. No authentication was required. In South Carolina, a voter registration card or driver's license or other DMV identification, with correct address, must be presented.
Second, the voting was not by secret ballot. Although private voting booths were available, many voters sat at a long table where they could easily view the votes of their neighbors. And when the ballots were taken to the machine for recording, they were often carelessly held out or up where they were readily visible to others.
I know individual states set their own procedures, but I believe some changes should be made to North Carolina's.
CAROL S. SCOTT
Durham
November 14, 2007
Matthew 10:56 said...
...Right now, as a graduate student, I am taking a course entitled “Leadership in exercise, leadership, and sport.” Part of the class is a 3-5 minute speech of “What leadership means to me.” I went last Tuesday, and talked about who has been influential in my life from a leadership standpoint ...
::
The last line of the last chapter in UPI is ...It's the facts that matter.
Young leaders in training need to make the commitment to searching for the facts and the truth before they jump into the theatre of opinions about leadership.
You'll find yourself not talking much because...there is not much to talk about when you have the facts and the truth. Three minutes is about right.
::
GP
TO Matthew (10:56 PM)--
Thanks!
And of course, ain't nobody like the irrepressible Gregory.
Judge Stephens orders the DNA samples preserved. Wonder if the Courthouse Crowd has a surprise in store for us today?
"I'll be able to say more in two days"
---------
He'll say he wanted to spend more time with his family.
Bwa-hahahahaha!
So, what will Mr Meehan do now, become head of the Medical Examiner's Office?
"So, what will Mr Meehan do now, become head of the Medical Examiner's Office?"
I believe Duke has an opening for an adjunct professor specializing in scientific ethics.
For what ever reason, I think Meekan has sacrificed his career, job prospects and reputation for Nifong.
Regarding the latest elections not only did we, in CT, have to show ID but we had the optical scan technology which made voting easy, fast and accurate.
JLS says....,
re: anon 8:48 pm
That means Meehan cut a deal with the Duke 3 to get out of the lawsuit.
I would think it is more likely the lab settled with the three and part of the deal was cutting Meehan loose.
JLS says....,
re: anon 8:48 pm
That means Meehan cut a deal with the Duke 3 to get out of the lawsuit.
I would think it is more likely the lab settled with the three and part of the deal was cutting Meehan loose.
11/14/07 10:14 PM
Bear with me on this...and consider carefully. Obviously, this is *pure* conjecture on my part, but I think it is worth considering.
I've been tangled in lengthy, protracted civil litigation, and when under extreme financial pressure, I've seen people turn.
Here's what I think happened:
Meehan privately and discretely met with the Duke 3, their parents and their legal counsel.
He threw himself on their mercy. He told them he would do whatever they needed, give them whatever information they needed in order to prevail in their civil litigation.
He agreed to spill his guts and give them EVERYTHING (perhaps even the unidentified DNA information, which is why the Judge has now put a stay on his destroy order)--on the condition that they drop Meehan from the lawsuit.
Meehan said he couldn't say anything more for 2 days. That's because the the Duke 3 haven't accepted the deal yet, and Meehand doesn't want to mess it up.
Meanwhile, DNASI got wind of Meehan's little meeting with the Duke 3, et al. As soon as they realized he was going to help the Duke 3 win, they fired him. They're going to try to throw him under the bus and absolve themselves of all responsibility (ie, they've already said they are going to ask the suit be dismissed).
Stay tuned....I think this is the scenario we're dealing with. But, I could be wrong.
I don't see arrpgamt Meehan "throwing himself on anyones' mercy". Least of all, some guys from "up north and a lot less educated than him."
Anon here again...
Meehan strikes me as an arrogant playground bully. Playground bullies usually are full of themselves--until they're well and truly busted (as is Meehan in this case).
Once they're busted, they cry like little babies. They can dish it out, but they can't take it.
I certainly see Meehan realizing he's got not a legal leg to stand on in court. No pot to pee in, nor a window to throw it out--his life is destroyed by this lawsuit. The only option available is to throw himself on the mercy of those suing him.
He *does* have information that will help them...and it is clear that he's been thrown to the wolves by everyone else involved in the suit. NOBODY is going to bail him out of the mess he's in. He's on his own--so it serves HIS purposes to cut a deal to help the Duke 3 get the rest of the folks who framed the guys, in exchange for being dropped from the suit.
The Duke 3 don't really want Meehan anyway--he's got nothing ( no $$), but he DOES have the dirt on those he helped frame up the boys. If he flips to their side, he can help them bring down DPD, Nifong and City of Durham. Not sure he can help 'em with Duke though.
Think about it...what does Meehan stand to lose if he does this? What does he stand to gain?
Hmmm.
12:16 PM
Your theory could also be true of Linwood Wilson.
It is noteworthy that neither Meehan nor Wilson were represented by counsel as of yesterday. In infer that the payment-for-counsel largesse of Durham and the State of NC does not extend to either of these men.
Given the costs of civil litigation, their direct financial interests would motivate something along the lines of this theory. Of course, they would still have to worry about potential criminal sanctions, but so far authorities have shown little appetite to pursue an investigation. But then again, perhaps, they could go to the authorities as a cooperating witness and plea bargain some type of immunity.
Speculative, of course.
3:54 You could be right - that makes sense.
3:54 You could be right - that makes sense.
11/15/07 7:44 PM
Thanks! Of course, it remains to be seen if this theory of mine is what is actually playing out, but it does make a lot of sense. At least to me.
I also agree with Inman. Linwood Wilson might also have bargained with the Duke 3 to be let out of the suit--in return for his complete and total cooperation.
There's a reason both of these guys don't seem to be sweating filing a response to the lawsuit by early December. The only plausible reason (to me) would be they know they're going to be dropped from the suit.
If *I* were one of the targets of this suit, I'd have already lawyered up the day it was filed. There's no way I'd have left hiring a lawyer to this late date. To do that would be totally irresponsible.
Looks to me Meehan and Wilson could be cutting deals and singing like canaries to the Duke 3 and their counsel.
If this is what's happened--and I were one of the other defendants, I'd be crapping my pants right about now.
The rest of the defendants are going down, down, down. And it looks like Meehan and Wilson might help take 'em down.
City of Durham and DPD motto: To serve and protect (their own asses).
...Anon here again...
...The Duke 3 don't really want Meehan anyway--he's got nothing ( no $$), but he DOES have the dirt on those he helped frame up the boys. If he flips to their side, he can help them bring down DPD, Nifong and City of Durham. Not sure he can help 'em with Duke though.
...Think about it...what does Meehan stand to lose if he does this? What does he stand to gain?
::
I think you make many good points.
He also has all of the story on the chain of custody of the evidence as he is required to have and I am not sure that story has been told. And I mean chain of custody all of the way back to who was in contact with Crystal from the minute she left that lax house; arrived at the Rape Center; was transported to the hospital and ...who was in contact with her for all of those hours she was sitting or sleeping in the hospital before the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner came to work.
He will also know about the appropriate age of the DNA that was given to him for analysis.
Those issues may not be in his contract with the DA but he will knows the answers.
::
GP
JLS 12:16 and Anon 3:54 (and Inman)
Good speculation. It would expedite matters if everything proceeded as-speculated.
In any case, Meehan is to obfuscation what #3 (Dale Earnhardt) was to intimidation.
"The Obfuscator" may have other tricks up his sleeve. He may also know about something the alleged sexual misconduct charges being pursued in the Dee Pee Dee?
Here's a raised glass and a hope that you're right.
KC> thanks for keeping up with this, I hope Dr. Meehan's life is ruined after he helps the guys get to the truth. I hope the main characters are punished with jail time after the civil suits are over. None of them have any money to speak of, I'm not confident of satisfaction there, but if there is a payout, good for the guys.
After all this time, it is still difficult to read what is going on down there. Three innocent young men were almost destroyed, their families included. because of the bias of a significant number of grownups in positions of authority. They are still being slandered from time to time and there are still some who actually believe they are guilty on the faculty of Duke and in the african american community.Dr. Meehan deserves nothing more than scorn for his role and any misery that can be brought his way. He may be a scientist, but he isn't an ethical one.
Ooh - bad karma to wish ill will to others. As Jack Parr said "People will tear their own tinfoil and need no help from us."
Chain of custody mystery? You got to be kidding. Like, I thought the DNA analysis by the labs exonerated the team and defendents. Another conspiracy???Who was in contact at DUMC while Crystal was passed out on a stretcher was three doctor and four nurses - until Manly/Levicy arrived on the scene and Crystal was Dumped on them, by the others.
Gary Packwood said...
...Anon here again...
...The Duke 3 don't really want Meehan anyway--he's got nothing ( no $$), but he DOES have the dirt on those he helped frame up the boys. If he flips to their side, he can help them bring down DPD, Nifong and City of Durham. Not sure he can help 'em with Duke though.
...Think about it...what does Meehan stand to lose if he does this? What does he stand to gain?
::
I think you make many good points.
He also has all of the story on the chain of custody of the evidence as he is required to have and I am not sure that story has been told. And I mean chain of custody all of the way back to who was in contact with Crystal from the minute she left that lax house; arrived at the Rape Center; was transported to the hospital and ...who was in contact with her for all of those hours she was sitting or sleeping in the hospital before the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner came to work.
He will also know about the appropriate age of the DNA that was given to him for analysis.
Those issues may not be in his contract with the DA but he will knows the answers.
::
GP
11/16/07 12:10 AM
I think Meehan will be instrumental in helping the Duke 3 take down the *real* thugs in this story.
Meehan's like the bully in "A Christmas Story". Remember him? Remember Ralphie finally getting fed up with the bully and just beating the hell out of the bully?
Yeah...Ralphie's cussing away, pummeling the bully right about now, and the bully is laying in the snow with a bloody nose and lip, crying for his Mommy.
The only way to stop the beating is to agree to be Ralphie's friend and help Ralphie deal with the other bullies on the playground.
Unless they're taught their lesson in childhood, playground bullies grow up to be bullies like Nifong, Meehan, Brodhead, Holloway, Curtis, Gottlieb, Himan, Levicy, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc.
They'll keep bullying people they come in contact with, until someone finally stands up to them forcefully and says enough. That's what the Duke 3 are doing now.
Hmmmmm.
9:38PM Gottlieb and Curtis are bullies, I think. I do not get that impression from the rest of the names you put forth. Least of all Meehan. He is like the soft kid who everyone else bullied. BTW, another RN came to work, not a sexual assualt nurse examiner - that is why the Doctor did the Physical exam and collected the swabs.
As far as I am concerned,anyone who played a deliberate, active part in the frame up is a schoolyard bully.
It matters little to me whether they are a truly aggressive bully like Gottlieb and Curtis, or if they're like the rest of the kids circled around the kid being beaten half to death chanting "go, go, go, go" while doing absolutely NOTHING to stop the beating and help the child being bullied. If they did nothing in the affirmative to help the bullied child, they're bullies too in my mind.
Did you ever see that happen on *your playground"? I did. And that's what happened in Durham too.
BTW...I have adopted Anon #1 as a tag, so that folks "know" who I am and wont confuse me with the other Anons here. :))
Just hope that Meehan and other vital witnesses for the Duke 3 are being well fed and cared for in some HARD to find location.
Prostitution rings are often linked to big time crime syndicates, and not just small time operators like the dpd. The big boys don't like to have their playhouses messed up.
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