Duke Players' Accuser Cried Rape Before
The woman who accused three members of Duke University's lacrosse team of rape told police 10 years ago that she was raped by three men in 1993 when she was 14 years old. No one was ever charged in the earlier alleged rape, according to press reports.
Reade Seligmann, of Essex Fells, N.J., and Collin Finnerty, of Garden City, N.Y., have been charged with raping and kidnapping a 27-year-old stripper who was hired to dance at an off-campus team party March 13. The alleged victim said a third player was involved, but only two team members have been arrested.
This week, a police report from August 1996 was uncovered in which the same woman at age 18 told police she was raped and beaten by three men "for a continual time" when she was 14 at an unspecified location on a street in Creedmoor, North Carolina.
Police Chief Ted Pollard in Creedmoor, where the earlier rape was reported told reporters he did not know why no charges were every filed. However, relatives of the accuser said she did not pursue the case out of fear for her safety.
In other developments in the case this week:
- Collin Finnerty, 19, learned he will have to face trial in a simple assault case in Washington D.C. stemming from an incident in November outside a Georgetown bar in which a gay man said Finnerty and two friends taunted and beat him. Finnerty had received 25 hours of community service on the condition that he avoided further legal problems. Judge John Bayly, Jr. determined Tuesday that Finnerty had violated the terms of the agreement given a first-time offender.
- Prosecutors in the Duke case suggested to the press that the so-called alibi photos taken by lacrosse players at the party could have been doctored to change the time stamps on the pictures. Defense attorneys said evidence will show that the photos were not doctored.
- Kim Roberts, the second dancer at the party, told the press that accuser was sober when she arrived at the party but began stumbling around after drinking only one drink, suggesting that she may have been given a date rape drug. Defense attorneys say photos showing the accuser arriving at the party indicate that she was already intoxicated.
- The father of the accuser told reporters that his daughter was raped with a broomstick, explaining why there was no DNA evidence found of the Duke players. He said he didn't think his daughter wanted to go through with testifying in any trial. However, later in the week the accuser's mother said her daughter had no intentions of dropping the charges.
Accuser in Duke Lacrosse Case Previously Reported Rape
Alibi Photos for Lacrosse Players Questioned
Lacrosse Players Describe Spat With Strippers
Duke Student to Be Tried in Previous Assault Case
Black Nationalist Group Backing Duke Lacrosse Rape Accuser
Duke Rape Suspect Has Violent History Against Gays
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Earlier Articles:
Two Arrested Duke Players May Have Alibis
No DNA Match in Duke Lacrosse Scandal


Comments
Shame on the author of this article for this extremely offensive title. The use of the phrase “cried rape” which is meant to invoke “crying wolf” or lying repeatedly is designed to discredit the alleged victim in a case that has not yet been heard. Rape is an extremely common crime, and it is entirely possible that she was raped before. The physical evidence certainly suggests that this rape was real. Shame on Mr. Montaldo for attempting to mislead readers. Take a course in journalistic ethics; you need one.
According to dictionary.com “cried” means “to call out loudly. To demand or require immediate action or remedy.” You must be reading the feminazi dictionary.
‘Feminazi’ dictionary, huh? You certainly revealed your bias with that word. It makes one wonder about your attitude towards women in general.
The phrase “cried rape” was not intended to imply it was a false cry or a real cry, just a cry… as in a cry for help, cry for justice..etc.
Charles
I agree with the posters who find the phrase “cried rape” offensive. The writer’s response is disingenuous at best, insensitive and hurtful at worst. Now that you know, will you change it or allow the disgusting insinuation to continue?