http://www.newsobserver.com/1185/story/520626.html

Rep. Jones asks for Nifong investigation

By Joseph Neff, Staff Writer
A North Carolina congressman has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong's handling of the Duke lacrosse case.

In a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones said Nifong may have engaged in prosecutorial misconduct and violated the civil rights of the three lacrosse players charged with raping an escort service dancer hired to dance at a team party in March.

The players have emphatically said they are innocent and have said the accusations are lies.

Three former players, Dave Evans, 23, of Bethesda, Md.; Collin Finnerty, 20, of Garden City, N.Y.; and Reade Seligmann, 20, of Essex Fells, N.J., are charged with rape, kidnapping and sexual offense.

Nifong has come under intense criticism for his handling of the case. Jones, a Farmville Republican, said he was concerned that Nifong directed the Durham Police Department to conduct a photo identification procedure that violated the department's guidelines.

Jones also complained that Nifong's numerous public statements in the early stages of the case prejudiced the community against the players.

"Mr. Nifong's statements ranged from labeling the Duke players ‘hooligans' to falsely stating that they refused to cooperate with his investigation," Jones said.

Jones' letter apparently came in response to a letter from a defense lawyer for Finnerty. Michael Cornacchia of New York City had written to federal officials, senators and congressional representatives, including the entire North Carolina delegation, asking them to support a federal investigation into Nifong's actions.

Nifong declined to comment Tuesday.

Staff Writer Joseph Neff can be reached at (919) 829-4516 or jneff@newsobserver.com.

http://www.newsobserver.com/1185/story/520626.html

Rep. Jones asks for Nifong investigation

By Joseph Neff, Staff Writer
A North Carolina congressman has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong's handling of the Duke lacrosse case.

In a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones said Nifong may have engaged in prosecutorial misconduct and violated the civil rights of the three lacrosse players charged with raping an escort service dancer hired to dance at a team party in March.

The players have emphatically said they are innocent and have said the accusations are lies.

Three former players, Dave Evans, 23, of Bethesda, Md.; Collin Finnerty, 20, of Garden City, N.Y.; and Reade Seligmann, 20, of Essex Fells, N.J., are charged with rape, kidnapping and sexual offense.

Nifong has come under intense criticism for his handling of the case. Jones, a Farmville Republican, said he was concerned that Nifong directed the Durham Police Department to conduct a photo identification procedure that violated the department's guidelines.

Jones also complained that Nifong's numerous public statements in the early stages of the case prejudiced the community against the players.

"Mr. Nifong's statements ranged from labeling the Duke players ‘hooligans' to falsely stating that they refused to cooperate with his investigation," Jones said.

Jones' letter apparently came in response to a letter from a defense lawyer for Finnerty. Michael Cornacchia of New York City had written to federal officials, senators and congressional representatives, including the entire North Carolina delegation, asking them to support a federal investigation into Nifong's actions.

Nifong declined to comment Tuesday.

Staff Writer Joseph Neff can be reached at (919) 829-4516 or jneff@newsobserver.com.