By Scott Tibbs, July 31, 2007
During that testimony, he said he still believed that “something happened” in the bathroom where the stripper claimed to have been assaulted, although he said it might have been a nonsexual assault or an act of intimidation that resulted in the breaking up of the party. -- June 16, 2007 New York Times article describing Mike Nifong's testimony at his disciplinary hearing for withholding evidence and other criminal conduct.
"Mike Nifong acknowledged Thursday there is "no credible evidence" that three Duke lacrosse players committed any of the crimes he accused them of more than a year ago. -- July 26, 2007 Associated Press article describing Nifong's so-called "apology" for his attempt to lynch men who had committed no crime.
In considering the second statement, it is absolutely critical that we also consider the first. Months after it was proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that the three young men whom Nifong raped had committed no crime, Nifong continued to slander them. Let's not forget that one of the three men was not even present when the fabricated "rape" took place. Now, as Nifong faces the very real possibility of being put behind bars, he finally admits that Collin Finnerty, Reade Seligmann and Dave Evans committed no crime.
This "apology" could not be more transparent. Nifong has been forced out of office in disgrace and disbarred. Now he's trying to avoid going to jail. I believe Nifong is truly sorry, but he's not sorry for what he did. He is sorry that he got caught. The fact that Finnerty, Seligmann and Evans have forgiven him after he destroyed a year of their lives is admirable. I do not know if these three young men are Christians or not, but if they have forgiven Nifong they are following the teachings of Jesus Christ. (See Matthew 5:43-45 and Mark 11:25-26.)
Nonetheless, Nifong must be put behind bars, and for a lot longer than 30 days. This case is about much more than three young men who were raped by a corrupt "prosecutor". This case is much bigger than Mike Nifong and Crystal Gail Mangum, the stripper who started the whole mess by fabricating these charges of "rape". This is about the future of our country, our liberty, and our system of government. As I said a few weeks ago, a government that ignores the rule of law is far more dangerous than any Islamic terrorist.
Mike Nifong is a rapist and justice requires that we make an example out of him. Nifong raped the reputations of men who committed no crime, the taxpayers of North Carolina, the justice system and the Constitution. He should face life in prison without the possibility of parole for his crimes. That would serve as a deterrent to anyone in law enforcement who is tempted to maliciously prosecute innocent people for personal gain.
The Nifong case is about a corrupt "prosecutor", but also highlights a problem with our criminal justice system. A prosecutor's job is not to prosecute criminals. A prosecutor's job is to seek justice. Sometimes, that involves prosecuting criminals, but sometimes it does not. Law enforcement should not necessarily be about "us vs. them". Every four years, elected prosecutors brag about the number of convictions they have won, and that is what the public wants to hear. That is the wrong place to put the emphasis, but how does a prosecutor (or any elected official) make that a priority without appearing "soft on crime"?
