One of the anonymous comments in a previous blog entry mentioned that the alleged victim had prior charges. Well, we finally found a source. WRAL in Raleigh reported that in 2002, the alleged victim gave a lap dance to a taxi driver, then stole his car and lead the police on a high speed chase. The chase ended when she hit a dead-end road. She had a blood alcohol level of twice the legal limit at the time. She served probation and some jail time for the “joyride”.
Her lawyer points out that what happened in the past should not affect the current investigation. We agree with this, however, not many people pointed this out when the media reporting that 15 of the lacrosse players had prior convictions for public drunkeness.
On the other side, Joseph Cheshire, a laywer for the Duke lacrosse team claims he has time-stamped photographs that prove there was no rape committed at the house. Cheshire claims that there is a photograph of the dancer smiling at the photographer, followed by one six minutes later where she is passed out on the porch. Another photograph, 3 minutes later, shows a team captain helping the woman into her car.
We wonder if this description of the photographs will change the public’s mind on whether a rape took place. Naturally, both sides are standing by their stories.
Links:
[WRAL]: Alleged Rape Victim Had Past Brush With Law
[News&Observer]: Attorney: Party pics help players
