Duke's Finnerty Convicted in Georgetown Case

Collin Finnerty, one of the Duke University lacrosse players accused of raping a stripper at a team party in Durham, was convicted on a misdemeanor assault case stemming from an altercation that took place in the Georgetown section of Washington D.C. last November. The case was originally not scheduled for adjudication, under a first-offender program, but a judge ruled that Finnerty's indictment in the Duke rape case violated the terms of that agreement.

During the bench trial before District Superior Court Judge John H. Bayly Jr., evidence showed that Finnerty never touched the victims in the case and prosecutors agreed that the confrontation was not an anti-bias case, even though Finnerty used anti-gay insults during the incident.

Finnerty and several friends, out drinking in Georgetown, a popular nightlife attraction in the D.C. area, confronted Scott Herndon and Jeffrey Bloxsom outside a restaurant. Although a fight did ensue, all witnesses agreed that Finnerty never struck anyone, only shadow boxing near Bloxsom's face.

Judge Bayly found Finnerty guilt of assault regardless, sentenced him to six months probation and ordered him to stay out of Georgetown.

Very Little Changes for Finnerty

Ironically, the conviction does very little to affect Collin Finnerty. As a first offender, his misdemeanor conviction will be expunged from his record if he adheres to the condition of his probation for six months. His attorneys plan to appeal the conviction anyway.

The only repercussion of the conviction may be how it might affect potential jurors in the up-coming Duke rape trial.

If it turns out that the accusations of the alleged victim in the Duke lacrosse case are false, as many observers believe, the Georgetown case was adjudicated without Finnerty breaking the terms of the first-offender program. Finnerty has only been indicted on the Duke charges and under our system of law, is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

It seems his attorneys have good reason to appeal the Georgetown conviction.

See Also:
Finnerty Convicted in Georgetown Assault Case

Background:
Duke Lacrosse Team Rape Scandal

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