– More than three dozen current and former Duke lacrosse players filed a lawsuit Thursday claiming they suffered emotional distress during the furor over the now-discredited rape case against three of their teammates. A.P. Report.
This new lawsuit comes after the three players wrongfully charged (and later declared innocent) with raping a woman at a team party in March 2006, sued Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong, the city of Durham, and the police detectives who handled the case. Those three players reached an undisclosed financial settlement with the university in June.
The current lawsuit was filed on behalf of 38 unindicted players and nine members of their families. It seeks unspecified damages for invasion of privacy, emotional distress and other injuries. The lawsuit accuses Duke University, the City of Durham and several school and police officials of fraud, abuse and breach of duty for supporting the prosecution of the case.
The entire team did, indeed, suffer, so I see merit in this case. The University canceled the season of the highly ranked lacrosse team, certainly implying guilt. The facts of the case against the three players are so egregious that perhaps this second lawsuit will send a clear message to Duke University, the city, the police, and the District Attorney’s office:
Do not ignore or suppress evidence. Do not fabricate evidence. Do not idly and callously stand by while students enrolled in your school are harrassed and abused on campus and off. Pay attention to the accuser’s changing story, mental instability and drug-dependence. Assume nothing.
