Will the Duke students' lawsuit clean out Durham's "cesspool"?

[pnwmom]

http://liestoppers.blogspot.com/search/label/News%20and%20Observer

By Joan Foster

SNIP

It's the discovery that will rip the dirty little lid.... off the dirty little Old Boys Network.... in the dirty little town of Durham. Watching the synchronization of cops, judges, and Durham officials, as they constructed the dirty little frame against Collin, Reade and Dave last year, has left many of us breathless with rage. But this isn't about rage or revenge or raking every last bit of revenue out of the city coffers .

No, Barry, this is about RECONSTRUCTION. The reconstruction of a judicial system, a police department, and a city government that currently reeks of cronyism and corruption.

Did you see Judge Ron ("He's A-OK") Stephens blubbering on the stand last week over his bestest buddy Mike Nifong's problems? Or Judge Marcia ("It depends") Morey hedging under oath and then hovering over Nifong like a hen with a chick? With the intensity of this incestuous local system proudly on public display, Barry, are you really convinced all defendants are assured a fair trial in Durham? I mean, Barry, the State is the richest Daddy of them all. You were content in your columns to let these three sons of privilege sweat it out...but what about the sons of poverty, the sons of single Moms and the sons of "Barely Subsisting"? How are they to handle the grifters with a grip on the power in your town?

This is about THEM. Not Collin, Reade, and Dave. This is FOR them. And for all who have been victimized before and will surely be victimized in the future. You and many Durhamites have been content to subject your sons and your neighbors' sons to the status quo. Mark ("Magic Notes") Gottlieb is still prowling his beat. Patrick ("Only One Story") Baker is still on the payroll after Hoaxgate, having also survived Leadgate and Dumpgate. Not one other Durhamite filed a similar Nifong removal motion, following Beth Brewer's courageous lead.

SNIP

No, Barry, this is a line in the sand for all those folks... poor, black, brown, and otherwise... who couldn't stand up to the bullies in blue; the wolves in white shirt and council pin; the back-slapping boys in black robes and their favorite, duly-elected district attorney, Mike Nifong. This is FOR THEM. This is to put a stake in the heart of the shameful, sickening abuse of power that dominates the smug and the powerful in your town.

Let them be deposed.



________________________

Note from pnwmom -- I think Foster's right. What made Nifong so confident, despite having no case, despite going up against some of the most able lawyers in the state? One -- he knew he had lots of allies. Two -- he had probably succeeded many times before. And he would have gone on with his "methods," if this case hadn't gotten him stopped for good.

[BadgerLaw2010]

1. DA's normally don't deal with aggressive defenses with massive resources. Nifong was surprised.

"Yeah, sure I can get away with this. Defendants are screwed 'round here."

Well, anywhere, generally. Prosecutors win most cases they charge in one form or another. Guilty pleas for expediency and to avoid the risk of major sentences are fairly common. Unethical prosecutors can and do put innocent people - not even touching people who may have done it but are not criminally guilty - in jail.

Exactly why he thought it would be a good idea to go after three people who had very large amounts of money with a literally empty case hasn't really made that much sense, but if Durham is as corrupt as is being claimed, it makes more sense.

[flashl]

2. Prosecutors across this country uses the power of their offices

to send thousands to jail and prison everyday under questionable circumstances. Their most used tool is Hobson Choice.

[Thothmes]

3. Do not forget

Do not forget that there was a sizable rooting section for the Durham authorities and DA Nifong from members on the DU

[pnwmom]

4. There still is, really.

Our version of the Flat Earth Society -- people who say we "really don't know" what happened. Anyone who says that is refusing to take their blindfold off -- all the evidence is out there on display.