The woman who falsely accused three Duke University lacrosse players of rape in 2006 has been convicted of misdemeanor child abuse and criminal damage to property, but a mistrial was declared on a felony charge of arson. Crystal Mangum was found guilty of contributing to child abuse or neglect, damage to personal property and resisting a police officer.The jury deadlocked 9-3 on the charge of arson, with nine jurors voting to acquit.
The charges stem from a February incident between Mangum and her live-in boyfriend. While police officers were in the apartment and her three children present, Mangum piled her boyfriend's clothes into the bathtub and set them on fire.
Sentenced to Time Served
Judge Abe Jones sentenced Mangum to 88 days in jail - which was equivalent to time served. Judge Jones also awarded Mangum custody of her children, which she had lost in August.
Durham County prosecutor Mark McCullough told reporters that he will decide within a month if he will retry Mangum on the arson charge.
See Also:
Duke Lacrosse Accuser Convicted of Child Abuse
Background:
Duke Lacrosse Team Rape Scandal
Crime and Punishment Forum:
Discuss The Duke Case
Photo: Mug Shot
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