Who is going to pay the Duke Lacrosse players legal bills?

[bluestateguy]

I'm just wondering because it doesn't seem right that they and their families should be out over a million dollars to defend themselves in a frivolous case, a case that was dismissed by the Attorney General with the finding that the young men were innocent--not "not guilty", but innocent. They ought to be able to recover the money that was spent on their legal bills, at the state's expense.

Is there a legal defense fund for them?

[mediawatch]

1. I suspect they will

file a law suite against the state.

I would.

[Lex]

The state has immunity.

So that would be a stupid thing to do.

[northzax]

22. Not for wrongful prosecution, i don't think

If it is shown that the prosecution was malicious and deliberately so, I think you can get damages. Individuals have immunity while working for the state, the state itself does not.

[Lex]

34. Sovereign immunity for the state extends to even intentional acts

by governmental employees.

Otherwise the state would grind to a halt entertaining every suit against it because of stupid or incompetent or wrong-doing employees.

[northzax]

35. would the Hyde Amendment not apply to the states?

that would allow for the reimbursement of legal fees in a federal case, that was this mishandled, it seems. I don't know NC law, I guess they have no similar statute?

[AnnieBW]

2. Their parents

I would assume. None of those kids were poor. Stupid, but not poor. I mean, they're athletes. At Duke. One would assume that these guys would have their pick of girls willing to get their freak on with them for free! Why did they have to go and hire a stripper?

[BOSSHOG]

7. They go to Duke and they are stupid?

My wife makes great pizza so why would I order a pizza? One would assume that the stripper was trying to make a few bucks. One would also assume that the district attorney would be fair, honest, above board with justice in mind instead of the next election.

[Madspirit]

14. "They go to Duke and they are stupid?"

Come on my friend...Bush went to Yale and he's stupid.

Lee

[BOSSHOG]

19. Okay I can not refute that. I'm busted..

But on my side of the ledger, none of those lacrosse players are killing iraqis for no apparent reason.

[Madspirit]

20. Nope they are not.

...and we don't really know if they're stupid or not...<g> We just know George is.
Lee

[AnnieBW]

38. Okay... maybe not stupid

But they certainly showed poor judgement in hiring a stripper. There's enough blame here to go around. The stripper, for deciding to cash in when she found out she was performing for the famous Duke Lacrosse team, the DA, for going after these kids so aggressively, and the boys for getting themselves in that situation in the first place.

[sallyseven]

3. Don't worry. I am sure they can afford it .

How much do you think that they paid for the woman's faulty memory?
Bet not too much. I can't stand any of them.

[mondo joe]

4. They shouldn't have to pay for prosecutorial miconduct.

Whether they can afford it or not.

[blondeatlast]

10. I'd be willing to bet Nifong has some pretty nifty assets that can be garnished.

He's as slimy as they come, I watched this morning. Ick.

[Lex]

12. How much do you think a county DA makes?

Not much. All his marital assets are untouchable anyway because in this state they can't be touched by such a judgment against him anyway.

[Debi]

8. So it's okay for an over-zealous prosecutor to go after somebody

as long as their rich? There were problems with the 'victim's' memory before charges were even filed.

[bluestateguy]

11. This case and the Paris Hilton case taught us something.

In the case of Paris Hilton, it's that the rich shold not be above the law. In the Duke case, it's that the rich should also not be below the law. When the state violates that principle, there should be consequences.

[NeedleCast]

33. Well said

[yardwork]

15. I disagree with your implication that they paid off the accuser.

If you read the State Bar's report, it is clear that there was never any evidence of an attack.

[Debi]

5. Nifong should be sued for it. n/t

[northzax]

23. He most likely can't be

Most government employees have civil immunity.

[Mojambo]

6. I think they'll manage, fair or not. n/t

[Madspirit]

9. Sorry

I defend these little miscreants against these charges because they are not guilty of THESE charges and no one should have to go to jail simply because they are bitty piggies. ...but they are bitty piggies and I really don't care how they pay. I am sure there are plenty of rich misogynists and other conservative vermin willing to pay their bills including the parents who raised them to be bitty piggies and who have considerable funds. ...not losing any sleep here.
Lee

[bbinacan]

Bullshit

What do you know about their character? And why would you single out conservatives as picking up the bill. Why not a liberal who hates to see injustice. And what the hell is a bitty piggy.

Edit to add.

And if the parents have money, why do you think they should not be compensated for the legal fees? Just because they have money? That's just plain stupid. A bullshit case brought by a publicity seeking asshole who used this case for political gain. Nifong is a crooked fuck stick.

[msongs]

26. you are such a loving person..... nt

[bbinacan]

28. I call it as I see it. n/t

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

13. The Selfish Cold Hearted Woman Who Falsely Accused Them And Should Be In Prison, Should.

She should be ordered by the court to pay. Course, don't hold your breath.

[Lex]

16. She's extremely mentally ill it turns out.

With a thick folder of pyschiatric problems dating from way back.

[Madspirit]

18. Caring about THAT

Caring about THAT would require an indepth understanding of mental illness and compassion and empathy.
Lee

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

25. So you think she should go to prison...

even though she hasn't been convicted in a court of law?

Isn't that a bit like saying the Duke boys should have gone to prison for raping her?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

27. She Falsely Accused Them Of Rape.

So yes, I absolutely believe in the end, she should go to prison.

And even with the mental issues, those are still no excuse for her behavior. She still knew exactly what she was doing so the mental issues are not enough for me to think she should walk.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

29. Can you prove that beyond a reasonable doubt?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

30. I'd Say It More Than Has Been Already.

No doubt in my mind.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

31. Yeah, that's what she said.

[LisaL]

36. She got no money. Even if they were to sue her, they are not

likely to recover any damages, unless she writes a book or something. The same goes if they sue Nifong.
I do think they could actually sue the police, as far as I know police is not immune from lawsuits.

[Madspirit]

17. The Woman

The woman has a history of mental illness and should get some help. She has been abused in the past according to stories and sometimes to PTSD women who came to be PTSD because of abuse, all men "look" like the abuser. She figured she was just a slab of meat to these boys and guess what...she was just a slab of meat to these boys. I have great empathy and compassion for her and hope she gets the help she needs.
Lee

[tammywammy]

21. Nifong should

He pursued this case much farther than it should have ever gone.

[LizofOz]

24. I agree

Nifong should pay. He was so adamant in convicting without proper evidence and now he should pay in more ways than one.

[Paladin]

32. A Little Moment Of Clarity

If you're copping an attitude that these kids somehow deserved the ruinous effects of this judicial travesty, because of their families' economic status: it's a pretty safe bet that you're an asshole.....

[NaturalHigh]

37. If it were up to me, It would be Crystal Mangum...

and Mike Nifong. Although I suspect Nifong will end up paying these guys a hefty settlement, Mangum will likely never pay a cent.