Was asked by the media (this was The Herald-Sun, back when they were doing good work on this case, by the way) if the original 911 call was legitimate. Said he learned then that the call “might have been made by the other driver, I mean dancer.”
He talked to Eckstrand, one of the lawyers for some players. Told him his clients should go and talk to the police. Says none of Eckstrand’s clients ever talked voluntarily to the police.
Wanted community to know that someone was looking at the case who “had the community at heart,” meaning the elected DA.
Found it odd that when they came to the house everything was closed up. Usually, he said, Duke parties are still going on when cops get there. “But even the residents of the house were not there and we thought that was very unusual.”
Were hoping some at the party who were not involved would come forward. (Boy, it looks like Reade is about to jump out of his chair.) Witt: Do you recall making wall of silence statements and if they’re innocent why do they need a lawyer: Nifong: Yes.
Witt: Are those statements that you could have made to a jury? Nifong: No. Says she wasn’t intending to make improper statements but he did say things that were a violation of professional conduct.
Says there were no suspects at that time, hoping to prompt information. Says he did not actually see the broadcasts of his statements because he was involved in a political campaign and didn’t see evening TV. Saw a clip earlier this week “that made me cringe.” “Maybe if I had seen some of those things I would have shut up sooner.” But his intention was pure: trying to coerce info (my words).
His race-baiting statements also were not proper, he says. Says there was almost immediately an outrcry in the community. Two outcries, he says. One who said if these were NCCU players they’d already be in jail. The others were the lefty potbanger feminists who were outraged at the sexual assault. Says he tried not to make decisions based on those points of view, but, in fact (my words) that’s exactly what he based his decisions on.
Now discussing his campaign forum statements about lacrosse players raping a black girl. Says “the comment about race was not a comment that should have been made.” Too late, Mike.
“My fervent desire was to keep the Duke lacrosse case from being affected by politics or to affect politics in Durham.” Sirens blare as he says this. An omen?
