Today’s Raleigh News & Observer reports on more possible trouble for our favorite prosecutor, Mike Nifong. Seems Nifong was warned very early in the acse by defense lawyer Joe Cheshire that his comments to the press appeared to cross ethical boundaries. Ethics experts believe that this could undercut any effort by Nifong to argue that he was speaking off the cuff or got caught up in the moment and didn’t mean to make the prejudicial, disparaging remarks about the defendants that are at the core of the bar charges against him. The News and Observer also reports that:
The Grievance Committee of the State Bar is meeting later this week and may add more charges against Nifong, Metzloff said.
The most likely charges would concern Nifong’s withholding of DNA evidence favorable to the defense, Metzloff said. The director of a private laboratory testified that he and Nifong agreed not to report that tests had found DNA from unidentified men in and on the accuser.
“It’s likely, but not a sure thing,” Metzloff said. “It’s likely they might want the judge to start things off.”
In North Carolina, trial judges can punish or sanction lawyers for legal misconduct in a case.
Superior Court Judge W. Osmond Smith III, the trial judge, can find Nifong in contempt of court, but he can’t disbar him.
Seems to me that, as bad as the charges over the prejudicial statements to the press are, withholding the DNA evidence is the biggest threat to Nifong. Depending on how the facts come out – and the facts that are currently known are just awful for him – Nifong could well end up getting disbarred over that particular indiscretion.
This scumbag needs to do jail time.
Then he needs to be sued civilly for everything he owns.
Jackass.
Coolworx,
I agree. I would absolutely expect to see civil suits against Nifong and Durham County. Thanks for reading.