News / Politics
Duke Lacrosse Players Get First Degree Forcible Rape Charges Dropped
The first degree forcible rape charge that was hanging over three Duke lacrosse players has been dropped by Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong.
Dave Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann had been facing charges of first degree forcible rape after a 28-year-old woman accused the three of locking her in a bathroom at a party and raping her. According to the woman, a student at North Carolina Central University, she had been hired to perform as a stripper at the party when the attack occurred.
While the first degree charges have been dropped, the charges of kidnapping and sexual offense are still present.
Just a week ago the director of a private DNA testing lab revealed that he had withheld evidence that supported the player’s contention that they had not raped the woman. The director acknowledged that he, along with Nifong, were aware that there was no DNA from the players found in or on the woman’s body.
