Shots In The Dark: At ABC, Confusion Over Duke DNA

Saturday, May 13, 2006

At ABC, Confusion Over Duke DNA

May 11, 2006 —New DNA Evidence in Duke Lacrosse Case
Prosecutors believe they have DNA evidence to tie a third Duke lacrosse player to the alleged attack of a 27-year-old exotic dancer, sources close to the investigation tell ABC News. Sources say the third player is the same person who was identified with "90 percent" certainty by the alleged victim in a photo lineup.
—Christopher Cuomo, ABCNews.com

May 13, 2006—Duke Lacrosse DNA: Mystery Man Revealed
Accuser's Boyfriend is Single Source of DNA on Vaginal Swab
—Christopher Cuomo, ABCNews.com

Just one question: If the DNA comes from the accuser's boyfriend, why does ABCNews.com headline its story "Duke Lacrosse DNA"? To get even more things wrong?

¶ 12:00 PM

Comments:

interesting. meanwhile, i'm curious to hear your thoughts on this:

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=513466

# posted by Anonymous : 12:31 PM

Anyone know how these members were selected? Lottery? Application? Who They Know? Could make a difference.

# posted by Anonymous : 7:12 PM

It looks pretty "Old Harvard', particularly given the fact that Sid Verba, class of '53, i.e.72 yrs old, or so, is at the helm. Definitely by appointment I would say.

# posted by Anonymous : 12:27 AM

As to the question you raise in the initial post...

the DNA that is a possible match to a Lacrosse player came from under one of the dancer's fake nails.

the DNA that is a match to her boyfriend came from a vaginal swab.

So, nothing to be confused about...

# posted by Anonymous : 9:45 AM

You are right and I am wrong, poster #4.

Nonetheless, we are still left with a situation where three men are alleged to have raped a woman in three different orifices and there's not one shred of identifying DNA. That will be a challenge for the DNA. The fingernail DNA doesn't seem so much of a problem to explain away, given that strippers often have physical contact with the men they're stripping for.

# posted by richard : 10:15 AM

Whoops--the above should read, "That will be a challenge for the *D.A.*"

# posted by richard : 4:26 PM

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