Defense Lawyer: Duke Prosecutor Hid Crucial DNA

Explosive testimony rocks prosecutor's misconduct trial
By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 15, 2007 11:54 AM CDT
Defense Lawyer: Duke Prosecutor Hid Crucial DNA
Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong, right, speaks with an unidentified member of the audience during a break in his North Carolina State Bar trial in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 14, 2007. The North Carolina State Bar has charged Nifong with breaking several rules of professional conduct when...   (Associated Press)

Mike Nifong withheld key DNA evidence from defense attorneys, a lawyer for one of the accused Duke lacrosse players testified yesterday in the disgraced DA's misconduct hearing. Bradley Bannon told the State Bar panel he was "bewildered" to find lab results favorable to his clients after Nifong had repeatedly told him no DNA evidence existed, the News & Observer reports.

The Durham DA could be disbarred if the panel finds him guilty of the charges, which include making prejudicial comments about the defendants as well as withholding evidence. The embattled prosecutor maintains he didn't intentionally hide the tests, which located DNA from unknown men on the accuser's clothing and body. Charges against the three players were dismissed in April. (More Duke rape case stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X