Nifong Apologizes

I just saw a news report that Mike Nifong has apologized:

DURHAM, N.C. - Disgraced former prosecutor Mike Nifong acknowledged Thursday there is "no credible evidence" that three Duke lacrosse players committed any of the crimes he accused them of more than a year ago, offering for the first time a complete and unqualified apology.

"We all need to heal," Nifong said. "It is my hope we can start this process today."

It seems the healing might be motivated by a desire to avoid going to jail:
Nifong's apology came as a judge began considering whether to hold the former Durham County district attorney in criminal contempt of court for his handling of the case.

Superior Court Judge W. Osmond Smith III has already concluded there is probable cause to believe Nifong "willfully and intentionally made false statements of material fact" to the court during a hearing in the case last fall. If he finds Nifong in contempt, the now-disbarred former prosecutor could face up to 30 days in jail.

I can't help wondering whether he's sorry for what he did (which will always haunt the lives of innocent young men), or because things didn't work out the way he hoped.

posted by Eric on 07.26.07 at 10:39 AM





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Mike Nifong, still thinking about himself. Had he made the same statement 16 months ago and not indicted 3 innocent men we would have never come to know the names Collin Finnerty, Dave Evans, or Reade Seligman. Nifong, his family, the players, their families, and countless others could have been spared great pain and expense. His job, career, reputation, and freedom would never have been risked. Instead he thought only of how he could help himself....help himself win an election and increase his pension.

Now, facing the threat of a prison jumpsuit he continues to think of himself. He does what his lawyers tell him to do and offers the first true apology acknowledging what the world already knows.

Too little too late. Once he is in handcuffs and his mugshot is on the cover of Newsweek (just like Seligman and Finnerty) maybe I'll feel some sympathy for him, but not before that.

Mike Lee   ·  July 26, 2007 11:54 AM

I agree with Mike L.: this apology would be a lot more convincing if it had come as soon as the first exculpatory evidence appeared. If Nifong had halted his prosecution and issued an apology then, I might believe it.

As it is, I think the English translation of what Nifong said was "I'm sorry I got caught and couldn't ride this thing to the Governor's mansion."

Trimegistus   ·  July 26, 2007 12:39 PM

"No credible evidence"? You think?

Donald Douglas   ·  July 26, 2007 02:47 PM

30 days isn't nearly enough. He should go to jail for at least the amount of time he tried to send those kids away for.

Anything less would be a travesty.

tim maguire   ·  July 26, 2007 04:53 PM

"No Credible Evidence".

How about "Those kids were innocent, and I knew it."

Socrates   ·  July 26, 2007 10:31 PM

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