The Great Hand Washing Begins

Newsweek has published the "inside story" of the Duke lacrosse non-rape case.

And, it barely, just barely admits that the MSM might have had a role in fueling this lynching.

The press needed there to have been a rape to keep the story going. It was much too dull to consider that the lacrosse players deserved the presumption of innocence.

And,

Nifong got a boost from The New York Times in August. On the front page of the Friday paper, a long article featured a confidential report—a Durham policeman's summary of his interview with the accuser. Though he didn't take notes during the interview, he said she'd described someone with Finnerty's distinctive tall, thin looks as her assailant. The newspaper treated the report unskeptically, even though notes taken during the interview by the other officer present indicate that none of her descriptions fit the player.

But, no apologies. The press demands apologies from others, but never feels any obligation to do so itself.

Update: This story in the Raleigh News and Observer reveals what an incompetent, lying sack of crap Nifong is. No wonder the New York Times considered him a hero.

After a month, Bannon had decoded the documents: DNA Security's Meehan had found DNA from at least four unidentified men on Mangum and in her underwear.

Nifong had never disclosed these results, even though the new discovery law required him to hand over "a report of the results of any examinations or tests conducted by the expert."

Nifong had done nothing to identify or investigate these men.

Bannon filed his findings with the court and Nifong two days before the hearing scheduled for Dec. 15. Before the hearing, Nifong, defense lawyers and Judge Smith met privately in a small conference room next to the grand jury room.

Nifong said he didn't know about the withheld results. "I just, in terms of the discovery issues, frankly, you know, I got the [motion] and I was like, 'whoa.' So I immediately faxed a copy to Dr. Meehan and said, 'Read this, and I'll call you in the morning and get your opinions about this.' And we discussed it, and I said, 'This is a major issue for the defense. They're entitled to hear about it, and I think it needs to be addressed right away.' "

When the hearing began in open court, Nifong made a similar statement: "The first I heard of this particular situation was when I was served with these reports -- this motion -- on Wednesday of this week. ... It's crucial that everybody have access to all of the evidence in this case."
Nifong faced a difficult decision. He could have told the judge that there had been a mistake and that he would fix it by having Meehan provide an updated report with all the test results.

Instead, he called Meehan to take the stand. Nifong had not notified defense lawyers Meehan would be present. The lawyers had not prepared to cross-examine a scientific expert on DNA.

It turned out that Meehan was not prepared. Nifong had not provided him with the lab documents that Bannon had focused on.

Bannon walked him through the documents, and Meehan repeatedly admitted that he and Nifong had agreed not to report that he found DNA from unidentified men in the rape kit. Meehan admitted violating his laboratory standards by not reporting the results of all tests.

When Meehan said he and Nifong intentionally agreed not to report the results of all tests and examinations, some supporters of the players burst into applause.

Meehan testified sitting straight in front of Nifong, about 12 feet away. The prosecutor looked ashen, resting his face in his hands or staring down at the table.

His expert had just become a witness for the defense.