Rape Charges Dropped in Duke Case

Here's one for you.

AARON BEARD of The Associated Press writes:

DURHAM, N.C. -- The district attorney dropped rape charges Friday against the three Duke University lacrosse players after the stripper who accused them changed her story again. But the men still face kidnapping and sex charges that could bring more than 30 years in prison.

A lawyer for one of the athletes bitterly demanded that District Attorney Mike Nifong drop the remaining counts, accusing him of offering shifting theories of the crime in an attempt to win the case at any cost.

I don't know if anyone has paid any attention to this rather drawn out case. I hadn't given it much thought until I saw a special on one of the major news networks talking about it and the defendants. It also addressed the alleged victim(s). Since I wasn't there that night and can't say authoritatively who is telling the truth, I will spare my judgment. I do think it would be a travesty if those players' lives were ruined forever on completely unsubstantiated charges. If they did do these things then they certainly deserve a severe punishment. Another related question would be, was the victim or victims raped at all? If they were and the current defendants are not the responsible parties, then wouldn't it make sense to evaluate the evidence and make a more fitting determination of other possible suspects? Just a thought.