Bad News for Duke

[Sonny]

Dancer reports rape by Duke lacrosse players
46 submit DNA to police; team members had off-campus party
Associated Press

DURHAM - A dancer who reported that she was raped by members of the Duke University lacrosse team said she thought she would be dancing for five men at a bachelor party, but she and another woman were surrounded by dozens.

Men shouted racial slurs at the women, both black, she said in an interview with The News & Observer of Raleigh.

"We started to cry," she said. "We were so scared."

No arrests had been made by late Saturday after 46 members of the men's team submitted DNA samples to police.

"We're asking someone from the lacrosse team to step forward," Durham police Cpl. David Addison said. "We will be relentless in finding out who committed this crime."

Duke's athletics director said Saturday that the team will forfeit its next two games -- a match Saturday against Georgetown and one Tuesday against Mount St. Mary's.

Full Charlotte Observer article here:
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/n ... 189543.htm

[TheBearcatHimself]

"We're asking someone from the lacrosse team to step forward," Durham police Cpl. David Addison said. "We will be relentless in finding out who committed this crime."

This is a very sad/bad situation if no one comes forward. Being a member of a team there is a fraternal feeling, and undoubtedly their knee-jerk reaction will be to "protect" their fellow teammates. I really hope they rise above this sophomoric thinking and end this situation sooner rather than later. I hope this does not paint "lacrosse players" in a negative light as a demographic at universities, both D1 and throughout to club, etc.

Edit: As always, I realize innocence must be presumed, let us pray innocence is the case.

[Lax_Stats]

Did anyone ever stop to think that maybe a crime never even took place and that this story of a crime was made up simply because someone got mad??? Not saying nothing happened, but just trying to look at the situation from all angles is all.

[DanGenck]

This type of "gang sex" mentality is becoming too prevelant in male circles/culture. It's time for someone in the psychological community to look hard at this issue and provide some insight before it spins out of control.

This entire story makes me sick.

[Lax_Stats]

These are very serious allegations. Because of the seriousness, I think it is important for everything to be throughly investigated to discover the truth, and the whole truth at that. Remember, in the United States a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Just because a person or persons are accused doesn't mean they are guilty!!!

[DanGenck]

That is true, but usually 40+ people do not submit to a DNA test unless there is a court order... which usually cannot be obtained without significant evidence. They are all innocent now, but it doesn't look good.

[Lax_Stats]

Well, no matter what. lets not try and convict them here in this forum. That is not our place to do. If someone is guilty, they will be found out and properly punished, whether it is a player who committed a horrific crime, or a female who made a false police report for some reason.

[LAXDawg14]

That is true, but usually 40+ people do not submit to a DNA test unless there is a court order... which usually cannot be obtained without significant evidence. They are all innocent now, but it doesn't look good.

that is true, but can the Athletic Dept at Duke demand dna testing.
athletic dept's do drug testing, couldnt they do dna testing

[Lax_Stats]

I don't believe DNA testing is in the Duke athletic budget. Besides, it would be redundant to do it when the police already are doing it.

[Brent Burns]

That is true, but usually 40+ people do not submit to a DNA test unless there is a court order... which usually cannot be obtained without significant evidence. They are all innocent now, but it doesn't look good.

that is true, but can the Athletic Dept at Duke demand dna testing.
athletic dept's do drug testing, couldnt they do dna testing

Generally, it is the police departments that would request a court order for DNA testing because it is a legal matter. I guess it will be up to the high schools, colleges and universities to require random drug testing. I doubt they can not order DNA testing.

[WyoPoke]

I don't believe DNA testing is in the Duke athletic budget. Besides, it would be redundant to do it when the police already are doing it.

I'm all about letting the court system run its course, but it sounds like you're strictly an apologist and have already determined the players are innocent. I'm curious why that is.

[Lax_Stats]

Not at all. However, by the same note, it sounds like you have already judged them as guilty. Why is that? Do you know something the rest of us don't know? Were you there? Have you interviewed the players or the alleged victims? Do you not believe in "innocent until proven guilty"?? I have been saying the whole time that we should all quit commenting and speculating on this situation as by doing so we are just adding fuel to the fire! As a defense attorney, I know that people commit horrific crimes. I also know that the quickest way for a person to screw with someones life that they are pissed off at for some reason is to accuse them of the things the players have been accused of!!! Let's all just butt out of this situation and quit inflaming it with our comments and let the police and the legal system handle this! If they are guilty, that will be revealed. If not, let's not ruin everyones reputation as well as the reputation of Duke University and the entire lacrosse program there!!!

[monkeylax]

IMHO, I doubt the reputation of Duke Univ. is being spoiled by the message board of the USLIA. It is not illegal to speculate on allegations, geez try watching any U.S.A. news station and tell me if they are not overtly accusatory of innocent individuals who have merely been alleged of a crime.

[Brent Burns]

I am posting a friendly suggestion for all of us including myself as this is going to be my last post to this thread: why don't we all put ourselves on the sidelines right now and let everything play itself out until the dust settles?

[monkeylax]

I am posting a friendly suggestion for all of us including myself as this is going to be my last post to this thread: why don't we all put ourselves on the sidelines right now and let everything play itself out until the dust settles?

Agreed.