Duke lacrosse accuser charged with attempted murder
H/T Popehat: I'm sure everyone remembers the Duke lacrosse fiasco - exotic dancer accuses three Duke University students of rape, prosecutor Mike Nifong publicly excoriates the defendants and ignores the overwhelming evidence that the girl is lying until the charges are dismissed by the Attorney General and Nifong is ultimately disbarred for dishonesty, fraud, deceit and misrepresentation and held in contempt of court?
Crystal Gail Mangum was arrested this morning in Durham and charged with attempted first-degree murder; five counts of arson; simple assault; identity theft for providing a false name to police after she was arrested; communicating threats; damage to property; resisting, delay and obstruction; and three counts of child endangerment.
A judge this morning ordered that she remain in jail on a $1 million bond. Wearing a white jail jumpsuit, Mangum kept her head down during her court appearance today and said nothing as the charges from this morning’s incident were read.According to authorities, Mangum, 31, and her boyfriend, Milton Walker, were fighting in their apartment at 2220 Lincoln St. She then set fire to Walker’s clothing inside a bathtub, located in a bathroom in the middle of the apartment, police said. She tried to start another fire after officers arrived, according to an arrest warrant read during her court appearance.
Police said Mangum also threatened to stab Walker.
In 2008 Mangum attempted to further capitalize on the fiasco by writing a book.
Surely Nancy Grace will pick up this story?
Comments
Ugh, the Duke Lacrosse case. Few cases have better demonstrated that "liberal" or "progressive" does not necessarily mean "supportive of due process for accused persons."
Posted by: Ken | February 18, 2010 10:08 PM
An important case, though, for bringing to light the lengths that some prosecutors will go to. If it had been an accusation against Joe Schmoe on the corner who could not afford the quality of representation the Duke students had, Nifong would still have his job and Mr. Schmoe may well be in prison now.
I understand that the case prompted some reforms in NC also.
Posted by: BFrederick | February 18, 2010 10:35 PM