Many interesting points and theories offered in this thread. The fact that most have foundation in emotion, not fact, is typical of public reaction to such crimes. We are all going to inject our own experiences with college athletes, individuals of various race, rich white kids, strippers, etc. - not to mention unfounded perceptions thereof - into our beliefs about the merits of this case. Or for that matter, the character of those involved.
Though not surprised, I have been disappointed in the number of unsubstantiated judgments of the Duke players, and their moral fiber simply because they are athletes. As a former college athlete at a large university (which has had its own troubles with ill mannered athletes lately), I understand that its easier (and politically correct) for people to assume we are all hulking, misogynists, readily willing to break the law and take down anyone standing in our way - either by physical, sexual, or psychological violence. It's just not true. Does it happen? Sure. Are we all to blame? No. Simply put, we are an easy target. Someone posted on here that we, along with fraternities are
the cause of 95% of the injustices that occur in American universities. Abhorrently incorrect. But this inflammatory statement is an excellent example of popular opinion. Athletes are the stars of campus, and like any stars, people like to see them fall. We would know nothing of this alleged crime if the Duke Spanish Club had paid for the stripper and she alleged a rape. Its sport for people to go after high profile individuals in this country, and for some reason we have become complacent in accepting unsubstantiated rhetoric. Its ok to call an affluent football player a drunken, violent rapist. But if I made the same unfounded allegation against a black student, I would be a racist. Jesse Jackson would show up to give him a scholarship. And the New Black Panthers would march though the streets proclaiming my guilt. All before anyone stepped foot in a courtroom.
And thats really what it comes down to. Let it play out in court. For Gods sake, stop the prejudgment. Shes a whore, hes a bigot, shes lied before, he hit a gay guy, and on and on. None of it matters outside the courtroom. Sadly, it may never get there.
My opinion on this case is simple. It will either burn itself out without going to trial (a convenient way for the DA to back out of the case without prosecuting a losing battle; but after the media has lost interest), or there will be no convictions. Not because the accused are affluent and white as many will claim, but because the case has been bungled from the beginning by a media hungry DA up for election. A few specifics
1. He overplayed his hand on the DNA evidence. He claimed it would prove his case outright. Instead it became exculpatory.
2. The police lineup will be thrown out as evidence because the police (with the DAs consent) did not follow standard procedure of including non suspects. Anyone she pointed to was a Duke player.
3. The DA refused to hear exculpatory evidence from defense council when proffered.
4. He used a Grand Jury (with no members of the defense present to counter) to get indictments that would never have passed a probable cause hearing. Now hes scrambling to make a case around the suspects he has, rather than the other way around.
5. The 70 interviews he gave pronouncing the guilt of the players, and the airtight evidence. People forget this when they rail on the defense for talking about their case, and the victims history.
6. One of the defendants has a nearly airtight alibi, with video and electronic records as backup. This will cast considerable doubt on the other defendants guilt
No matter how you cut it, The DA screwed the pooch, and there will never be a conviction. But along the way the personal lives of those involved have become sport for the uninformed; their character vilified and changed forever.