University Lacrosse Team

he Duke’s University Lacrosse Team Scandal began when Crystal Gail Mangum, a black stripper, accused three members of the university lacrosse team of rape – Collin Finnerty, Reade Seligmann, and David Evans, which the media then sensationalized. The scandal shook the lacrosse world and proceeded to destroy the lives of several, including but not limited to the case’s prosecutor himself Mike Nifong. The account goes to show how sometimes, not all faces of injustice are on the piteous and the distressed.

Minutes Of The Event

It all started on March 13, 2006 when the 27 year old Crystal Gail Mangum, also a student of North Carolina Central University, showed up on the doorstep of the university lacrosse team captain David Evans’ residence, who was at that time, holding a party for the lacrosse athletes. Prior to Crystal Gail Mangum’s arrival, the university lacrosse team members were consuming alcohol and had called Allure Escort Service for two Caucasian strippers. Instead, it was Crystal Gail Mangum, which is black and another stripper, Kim Roberts, who was half black, half Asian arrived. Maybe due to being dismayed about not getting someone they had expected, rude comments were exchanged, especially to the part of the players, ending the performance prematurely. The two strippers retreated for some time in the bathroom, and during this time, the accused Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann, left.

When both women came out, Crystal Gail Mangum was already yelling and half dressed while roaming around the house. This event culminated with the two women entering Kim Roberts’s vehicle, loud exchanges between the women and the university lacrosse team players until David Evans had to crash the party and ask the players to go home.

Later on and during the departure, Kim Roberts have revealed that she and Mangum had a verbal altercation, where Roberts pulled over and attempted to push Crystal Gail Mangum off her vehicle. Failing that, Kim Roberts instead pulled over a nearby Kroger supermarket and asked the security personnel for assistance. The security guard then walked over to ask Mangum to leave. She did not, and then it was there when the security personnel contacted the police. Later on, upon questioning, Mangum revealed that she had been sexually assaulted.

Charges

Crystal Gail Mangum accused three players, Collin Finnerty, Reade Seligmann and David Evans of raping her, then on another account sexually assaulting her. After her charge, Mangum was sent to Duke University Medical Center for treatment and analysis of her injuries.

However, there was lack of one very substantial confirmation, the DNA of the alleged rape perpetrators. In defense, Mike Nifong of the prosecuting attorney had stated that it is not unusual since 80% of rape cases lack DNA evidence. However, it was ruled out since Mangum had been administered the rape kit exam only hours after the alleged crime.

Later on, it was found out that the credibility of the accuser herself is very questionable. It was already known that she’d been on drugs the moment she stepped on David Evan’s porch. She was also taking prescription drugs such as Ambien, methadone, Paxil and amitriptyline, which highlight her substance problem.

On accounts she gave about the way events had happened, several inconsistencies had happened, like stating that 20 men then restating that it was just three. And that she was raped suspended on the bathroom, but is unlikely due to the cramped space of the location. And most damaging of all, it was found out that there was a DNA result, but speculated that of her boyfriend. No DNA was found matching the players, though there had been other DNA on her underwear and pubic areas.

On April 2007, the court dropped the charges and declared the lacrosse players as innocent. The North Carolina State Bar also disbarred the prosecutor for his “tragic rush to accuse” and a symbolic one-day in jail with a $500 fine.