who was collin finnerty's defense lawyer

by Katelin Sawayn 6 min read

Michael Cornacchia

What happened to Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann?

Mar 14, 2018 · A prosecutor withdrew the case against all three defendants, and recently, one has pursued a career in the law: In 2014, Reade Seligmann joined the New Jersey law firm Connell Foley as an associate, after receiving his J.D. from Emory University School of Law.

Who is Michael Finnerty?

Mar 28, 2021 · On April 17, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann were charged with rape, sexual offense and kidnapping. On May 12, defense attorneys announced a second round of tests found no evidence of any player’s DNA on the accuser’s body or clothing on the night of the party. On May 15, a third lacrosse player, David Evans, the team captain, was ...

Who are Collin Finnerty and David Evans?

"You naturally think, ‘Wow there’s something there,’ because you believe in the process," said Michael Cornacchia, Finnerty's lawyer in the Duke case. Advertisement While Abrams said he believes that prosecutors, who represent "the people" in court, should have the right and ability to publicly explain why charges have been filed in a particular case, they must toe a fine line.

Who are Crystal Mangum and Collin Finnerty?

May 23, 2010 · For Collin Finnerty, his recent graduation was a triumphant moment and one he could scarcely imagine four years ago. ... Defense lawyers say that prosecutors had improperly withheld exonerating ...

Where is Collin Finnerty today?

The other two accused have since found jobs in finance: Collin Finnerty is an equity sales trader for Deutsche Bank in New York City, while David Evans is a senior associate at the consumer team at Apax Partners in New York.Mar 13, 2018

How much did Duke lacrosse players settle for?

$20 millionThe three players received $20 million each in a settlement with Duke. The university spent more than $100 million between legal fees, settlement costs, and other expenses to move on from the ignominy and preserve its “brand.”Mar 10, 2016

Where is David Evans now?

Apax PartnersToday, Evans works at Apax Partners, a private equity and venture capital firm, as a Senior Associate in the Consumer team.May 29, 2014

What happened to the accuser of the Duke lacrosse team?

In November 2013, she was found guilty of second-degree murder after she stabbed boyfriend Reginald Daye, who died 10 days after. She argued that she acted in self-defense, fearing that Daye would kill her. She was sentenced to 14 to 18 years in prison.

How long did Crystal Mangum get?

14–18 yearsCrystal MangumCriminal chargeMurder (second degree)Penalty14–18 yearsDetailsVictimsReginald Daye8 more rows

Who were the defense attorneys in the Duke lacrosse case?

Kirk Osborn, a lead defense attorney in the Duke lacrosse sexual assault case, died early Sunday, a fellow defense attorney in the case said. Kirk Osborn, a lead defense attorney in the Duke lacrosse sexual assault case, died early Sunday, a fellow defense attorney in the case said. He was 64.Mar 25, 2007

Where is Reade Seligmann from?

New JerseySeligmann, a New Jersey native, expressed interest in Ivy League schools, but couldn't talk to many head coaches until after transfer applications were due.Mar 9, 2010

Did the Duke Lacrosse players go to jail?

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) -- Two 20-year-old Duke University lacrosse players were arrested early Tuesday on charges of raping and kidnapping a stripper hired to dance at an off-campus party. Reade Seligmann posted a $400,000 bond and Collin Finnerty was in the process of doing so for the same amount, said Col.Apr 18, 2006

What happened Duke Lacrosse?

Duke University officials suspend the men's lacrosse team for two games following allegations that team members sexually assaulted a stripper hired to perform at a party. Three players were later charged with rape. The case became a national scandal, impacted by issues of race, politics and class.

What did Crystal Mangum do?

Crystal Mangum was seeking to have the court overturn her second-degree murder conviction in the April 3, 2011 killing of her boyfriend, Reginald Daye, 46. Jurors found her guilty on a second-degree murder charge five years ago.Aug 15, 2018

Was the Duke Lacrosse team guilty?

The charges against the lacrosse players were eventually dropped, ten years ago this week, although many people still falsely remember them as having been declared guilty, and the case's legacy has only become more and more fraught.Apr 14, 2017

What happened to Mike Nifong?

Nifong ultimately stepped out of the case when it was revealed he had withheld exculpatory DNA tests on the players, and he was subsequently forced out of office, disbarred, convicted of contempt of court and jailed for a day in 2007.Aug 30, 2016

Who was the woman who stabbed her boyfriend?

The woman who falsely accused the lacrosse players of rape — Crystal Mangum — later stabbed her boyfriend to death, and was convicted of murder for doing so. In May 2006, the Durham Herald-Sun published an article by the NAACP’s Julius Chambers and former Princeton President William Bowen.

Why did Duke University suspend the men's lacrosse team?

As History.com notes, on this day in 2006: Duke University officials suspend the men’s lacrosse team for two games following allegation s that team members sexually assaulted a stripper hired to perform at a party. Three players were later charged with rape.

Why was the black member of the Lacrosse team exempt from DNA testing?

The sole black member of the team was exempt because Mangum had stated that her attackers were white. On April 10, 2006, it was announced that DNA testing by the state crime lab had failed to connect any of the 46 tested team members to the alleged rape.

What happened to Moezeldin Elmostafa?

Defense lawyers suggested police used intimidation tactics on witnesses. On May 11, Moezeldin Elmostafa, an immigrant taxi driver who signed a sworn statement about Seligmann's whereabouts that defense lawyers say provides a solid alibi, was arrested on a 2½-year-old shoplifting charge. Arresting officers first asked if he had anything new to say about the lacrosse case. When he refused to alter his testimony, he was taken into custody. An arrest and conviction would have destroyed his chance for citizenship and could have led to his deportation. Elmostafa was subsequently tried on the shoplifting charge and acquitted, after a grainy security tape proved that a security guard who was the prosecution's chief witness had "misremembered" events.

What happened to the Duke men's lacrosse team?

Players' attorneys announced that DNA testing by the North Carolina state crime lab had failed to connect any members of the Duke men's lacrosse team to the alleged rape. Seligmann and Finnerty were arrested and indicted on April 18 on charges of first degree forcible rape, first degree sexual offense and kidnapping.

How many members of the Duke Lacrosse team were sued?

On February 21, 2008, the families of 38 of the lacrosse team's 47 members who were not accused filed a 225-page lawsuit against Duke University, the Duke University Hospital, the city of Durham, and various officials of each organization for multiple claims of harassment, deprivation of civil rights, breach of contract and other claims.

Which news outlet revealed the photo of Mangum?

Fox News was the sole national television news outlet to reveal Mangum's photo following the dismissal of the case, although MSNBC and 60 Minutes revealed her name. Several major broadcasters did not publish Mangum's name at any point, including ABC, PBS, CNN, and NBC.

When did Duke President apologize?

On September 29, 2007, Duke President Brodhead, speaking at a two-day conference at Duke Law School on the practice and ethics of trying cases in the media, apologized for "causing the families to feel abandoned when they most needed support."

Who was Crystal Mangum?

The accuser was Crystal Mangum, a black student at North Carolina Central University who worked as a stripper and dancer. The rape was alleged to have occurred at a party hosted by the lacrosse team, held at the Durham residence of two of the team's captains on March 13, 2006.

How many interviews did Nifong give?

Susannah Meadows, a journalist interviewed in “Fantastic Lies,” describes in the film how Nifong gave over 50 interviews making false statements because, in effect, he could. “You naturally think, ‘Wow there’s something there,’ because you believe in the process,” said Michael Cornacchia, Finnerty’s lawyer in the Duke case.

Who was the Duke student who was raped?

Ten years ago this month, Duke lacrosse players Reade Seligmann, Collin Finnerty and Dave Evans were accused of raping Crystal Mangum, a North Carolina Central College student who was hired to strip for the team during a party. The media’s coverage of the case inflamed race, gender and class divisions locally and nationally.

Timeline of Events

  • Events at the house
    In March 2006, Crystal Mangum, a student at North Carolina Central University, had been working part-time for about two months as a stripper. Although Mangum claimed that she had only recently taken up stripping, she had actually worked at strip clubs since at least 2002: when she …
  • After departure
    As Roberts drove away with Mangum, the two women began to argue. Roberts stopped the car and attempted to push Mangum out. When that failed, Roberts drove Mangum to a nearby Krogersupermarket, went inside, and told a female security guard that a woman was refusing to …
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Investigation and Prosecution

  • Arrests and investigation timeline
    On March 14, 2006, the day after the party, the Durham Police Department (DPD) began their investigation into the rape allegations by interviewing Mangum and searching 610 North Buchanan pursuant to a warrant. The three team captains who lived at the house, including Evan…
  • DNA tests
    Shortly after the party, the prosecution ordered 46 of the 47 lacrosse team members to provide DNA samples, although some members had been absent from the party. The sole black member of the team was exempt because Mangum had stated that her attackers were white. On April 10…
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Defense and Media Questioning

  • Durham Police Department's actions
    Lawyers and media have questioned the methods of the photo identification process, and have argued that the police supervisor in the case, Sgt. Mark Gottlieb, has unfairly targeted Duke students in the past.
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Wider Effects

  • Effects on Duke faculty
    Mike Pressler, the coach of the lacrosse team, received threatening e-mails and hate calls, had castigating signs placed on his property, and was the frequent victim of vandalism in the aftermath of the accusations. On April 5, 2006, he resigned (later revealed to have been forced) …
  • Effect on Duke students
    Shortly after the party, the University's president warned in a school-wide e-mail of threats of gang violence against Duke students. Other Duke students claimed they had been threatened.Mobs protested outside the house that had been the site of the party, banging pots and pans at early h…
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Aftermath

  • Mike Nifong
    On June 16, 2007, the North Carolina State Bar ordered Nifong disbarred after the bar's three-member disciplinary panel unanimously found him guilty of fraud, dishonesty, deceit or misrepresentation; of making false statementsof material fact before a judge; of making false st…
  • Crystal Mangum
    On December 15, 2006, it was reported that Mangum was pregnant and the judge in the case ordered a paternity test. In May 2008, Mangum graduated from North Carolina Central Universitywith a degree in police psychology. On August 22, 2008, a press release announced th…
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Lawsuits Filed by Players

  • On September 7, 2007, it was reported that the three accused players (Seligmann, Finnerty, and Evans), who had already settled with Duke University, planned to file a lawsuit for violations of their civil rights against the city of Durham and several city employees, unless the city agreed to a settlement including payment of $30 million over five years and the passage of new criminal just…
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Lawsuit Filed by Non-Accused Players and Their Families

  • On February 21, 2008, the families of 38 of the lacrosse team's 47 members who were not accused filed a 225-page lawsuit against Duke University, the Duke University Hospital, the city of Durham, and various officials of each organization for multiple claims of harassment, deprivation of civil rights, breach of contract and other claims. A Duke University spokesperson responded t…
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ESPN Documentary: Fantastic Lies

  • The 2016 documentary film Fantastic Lies, which centered around the case and its aftermath, was part of ESPN's 30 for 30film series. It premiered on March 13, 2016, 10 years to the day after the lacrosse players hosted the house party where Mangum claimed she was raped. Among the journalists invited to contribute was ESPN college basketball analyst and Duke graduate Jay Bila…
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See Also

Further Reading

  1. Until Proven Innocent: Political Correctness and the Shameful Injustices of the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case by Stuart Taylor Jr. and KC Johnson (2007); ISBN 0-312-36912-3
  2. It's Not About the Truth: The Untold Story of the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case and the Lives It Shattered by Don Yaeger & Mike Pressler (2007); ISBN 1-4165-5146-8
  3. A Rush to Injustice: How Power, Prejudice, Racism, and Political Correctness Overshadowed …
  1. Until Proven Innocent: Political Correctness and the Shameful Injustices of the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case by Stuart Taylor Jr. and KC Johnson (2007); ISBN 0-312-36912-3
  2. It's Not About the Truth: The Untold Story of the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case and the Lives It Shattered by Don Yaeger & Mike Pressler (2007); ISBN 1-4165-5146-8
  3. A Rush to Injustice: How Power, Prejudice, Racism, and Political Correctness Overshadowed Truth and Justice in the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case by Nader Baydoun and R. Stephanie Good (2007); ISBN 978-1-...
  4. The Duke Lacrosse Case: A Documentary History and Analysis of the Modern Scottsboro by R. B. Parrish (2009); ISBN 978-1-4392-3590-4