Pirate's Cove

Can you say bombshell? (from the Raleigh N&O)

A private laboratory hired by the prosecution in the Duke lacrosse case failed to report that it found DNA from multiple males in the accuser's body and underwear, according to a defense motion filed today.

The lab, DNA Security of Burlington, found that the DNA did not match the three defendants, their lacrosse teammates or anyone else who submitted their DNA to police, including the accuser's boyfriend.

The new evidence emerged in thousands of documents handed over to the defense in October.

Pretty self explanatory. Sure looks like prosecutorial misconduct to me. And, I am looking forward to what Judge Napolitano from Fox News will have to say shortly on whether the defendents can file a civil case against Durham DA Mike Nifong.

So, what happened?

1. On April 8, 9 and 10, DNA Security found DNA from multiple males on the panties and rectal swab from the rape kit; none matched the lacrosse players.
2. On April 10, Meehan met in his office with Nifong and the two lead investigators in the case, Sgt. Mark Gottlieb and Investigator Benjamin Himan.
3. On April 18 and 19, DNA Security ran tests on pubic hair from rape kit; multiple male DNA was found that did not match the players or any other sample taken by police, the motion said.
4. On April 20 or 21, Meehan again met with Nifong and the two investigators in his Burlington office.
5. Meehan included none of these DNA results in his final report to Nifong on May 12.

So, this begs the question, why did the DA, Mike Nifong, whose job is not to prosecute people, is not to find people guilty for political purposes, and not to put people behind bars, but to fnd the Truth, not follow up and make sure that the three accused players were actually the ones who should be accused?

Maggie at the Bullwinkle Blog and La Shawn Barber are a bit ahead of me on this, I just got home.

More: OK, just listened to the Judge, who stated that the defendents could, in fact, file civil suits against Mike Nifong and the State of North Carolina for violation of their civil rights, if it is deemed that the case never should have proceeded based on the evidence.

What this would mean is that the taxpayers of NC, which includes me, would pay for the political aspirations of Mike Nifong to be reelected. Thanks, Mike!