Pressler: It was Easter weekend. We knew the bail would be $400,000. People were getting their houses ready to sell. “You can’t imagine the horror of that.”
Yaeger: Students whose lawyers told them “it’s not you” were initially elated but then it hit them, “Then who?” Said Pressler was willing to put $100,000 of his money on the line for the kids. Says that Easter weekend was a trial for all of them.
Question: You said there’ve been no apologies. Settlements have now been made. Why won’t Duke apologize now?
Pressler: “You’d have to ask Duke.” Says we’re all educators. “What is the message we’re sending to the youth of America?”
Question: “I’ve worked at Duke for 25 years and they never apologize for anything.” Appalled to learn that Burness interviewed a journalist for 25 hours. Wondered who was really president.
Yaeger: “Let’s hope it’s not John Burness.”
Pressler: Never got to talk to Brodhead.