From NBC-17 (A Raleigh station)
NBC has obtained exclusive photos that defense lawyers for the Duke University lacrosse players feel will exonerate their clients of rape charges.
Collin Finnerty, 19, and Reade Seligmann, 20, were charged Tuesday with first-degree rape, first-degree sex offense and first-degree kidnapping after a woman said she was raped and beaten at a March 13 lacrosse team party, where she was performing as an exotic dancer.
Dan Abrams, a Duke graduate and former lawyer who now hosts “The Abrams Report” on MSNBC, said he has copies of a series of photos lacrosse team players said they took at the party.
You can see the photo’s at the story link. Nice blond hair.
Over the last few days, sources close to the defense have given ABC News an exclusive look at the evidence behind one player’s alleged alibi — evidence that includes electronic records, photographs and witness statements. If that material is authentic, it could prove that it was practically impossible for him to rape, kidnap or assault the alleged victim.
Seligmann’s argument is simple: He is innocent and he has an alibi. He attended the party that night, but documents, photos and witness testimony show that he wasn’t there long enough or at the right time to attack the alleged victim.
Around midnight the night of March 13, Seligmann was already at the party when two women hired from a local escort agency arrived to dance for the boys — $400 each for a two-hour performance. A series of time-stamped photographs viewed by ABC News show the girls dancing at midnight and at 12:02 a.m.
By 12:24 a.m., a receipt reviewed by ABC indicates that Seligmann’s ATM card was used at a nearby Wachovia bank. In a written statement to the defense also reviewed by ABC, a cabdriver confirms picking up Seligmann and a friend a block and a half from the party, and driving them to the bank. By 12:25 a.m., he was making a phone call to a girlfriend out of state.
Looking more and more like at least one of the accused is getting railroaded to earn DA Mike Nifong another term.
Furthermore, this case has harmed the rest of the team who are NOT under indictment:
At least one Duke University lacrosse player has indicated an interest in transferring from the troubled program. But Syracuse University athletic director Daryl Gross said Tuesday he will not sanction the transfer of any former Blue Devil to Syracuse.
“I think it would be inappropriate,” Gross said.
So, despite not being one of the legally accused, the player is being rejected out of hand, due to the taint of false accusations against the entire team.
