In 2006, three Duke players were falsely accused of raping an African American woman. The lead prosecutor, Michael Nifong (who has since been disbarred) insinuated that this could have been a hate crime. Before the media convergence on the trial, problems began appearing within the woman's story, as she began to contradict herself. [[Ann Coulter]] wrote several columns in the players' defense. Soon, the players proved their innocence with a negative DNA test and with electronic evidence that they were elsewhere, but a corrupt judge refused to dismiss the charges. The 2006 season was canceled, and the players lost their reputations. Eventually the charges were dropped. | In 2006, three Duke players were falsely accused of raping an African American woman. The lead prosecutor, Michael Nifong (who has since been disbarred) insinuated that this could have been a hate crime. Before the media convergence on the trial, problems began appearing within the woman's story, as she began to contradict herself. [[Ann Coulter]] wrote several columns in the players' defense. Soon, the players proved their innocence with a negative DNA test and with electronic evidence that they were elsewhere, but a corrupt judge refused to dismiss the charges. The 2006 season was canceled, and the players lost their reputations. Eventually the charges were dropped. |