Quote:

---

Judge Sentences Nifong to 1 Day in Jail

(08/31/07 -- DURHAM) - A judge has sentenced disgraced prosecutor Mike Nifong to one day in jail for lying to a judge while pursuing the Duke lacrosse rape case. Nifong will serve his time beginning 9 a.m. September 7 and will end 9 a.m. September 8.

Nifong, who was disbarred for his actions in prosecuting the discredited case, was initially asked to recount his career history, his personal policy of turning over evidence to defense attorneys in cases he prosecuted, and how he became involved in the lacrosse case after noticing an affidavit on an office copy machine.

Defense attorneys have asked Superior Court Judge W. Osmond Smith III to punish Nifong for telling the court he disclosed all DNA testing results in the lacrosse case, when he in fact knew, and failed to reveal, the presence of the unidentified genetic material to defense attorneys.

If held in contempt, Nifong faces up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

Nifong ultimately recused himself from the case after being charged with ethics violations, and state prosecutors who took over the case dropped all charges against the three men and declared them innocent victims of a "tragic rush to accuse."

Nifong was disbarred in June for more than two dozen violations of the state's rules of professional conduct during his prosecution of the lacrosse case. He resigned a month later as district attorney.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=5621847

---

Quote:

---

Duke D.A. in jail; players seek $30 million

The disgraced prosecutor who was convicted of criminal contempt of court for his botched prosecution of three falsely accused Duke lacrosse players reported to a North Carolina jail this morning.

Former Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong, who lost his job and was disbarred over his handling of the case, began serving a 24-hour sentence.

Durham County Sheriff Worth Hill said Nifong likely will have a cell to himself for safety reasons.

Meanwhile, the three cleared players are seeking a $30 million settlement and reforms in the legal process.

If the terms aren't met, the attorneys will file a civil rights lawsuit early next month, the person close to the case said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the proposed settlement wasn't complete.

Durham's police department helped Nifong secure the indictments, and a special committee probing police handling of the case stopped working last month because the city's liability insurance provider warned that findings could provide material for civil lawsuits.

During a discussion Wednesday with Durham officials, players' attorneys Brendan Sullivan and Barry Scheck stressed that the money they are seeking in the settlement -- about $10 million each for David Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann over five years -- must be accompanied by legal reforms, the person said.

City Attorney Henry Blinder and City Manager Patrick Baker briefed elected officials on the settlement discussions Thursday, according to The Herald-Sun of Durham, which first reported on the settlement demands. It said the city has a $5 million liability insurance policy with a $500,000 deductible.

www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/09/07/duke.lacrosse.ap/index.html?eref=rss_top
stories

---