Mitchell column:
Despite the divisive nature of the Duke lacrosse rape case, some good can come of it.
The flawed case exposed the worst elements of the criminal justice system and showed how easily an innocent person can be railroaded into jail.
Most often, it is African Americans and other people of color who find themselves in this predicament. That has made it too easy for some of us to dismiss their complaints of being railroaded.
But the Duke defendants were young, white males from affluent families, battling a system that sometimes runs like a car without brakes.
"This entire experience has opened my eyes up to a tragic world of injustice I never knew existed," Reade Seligmann said at a news conference last week.
In denouncing the rape prosecution as a "rush to judgment," the attorney general in North Carolina dropped all charges against Seligmann, David Evans and Collin Finnerty.
"If police officers and a district attorney can systematically railroad us with absolutely no evidence whatsoever, I can't imagine what they'd do to people who do not have the resources to defend themselves," Seligmann said.
"So rather than relying on disparaging stereotypes and creating political and racial conflicts, all of us need to take a step back from this case and learn from it."
Why no DNA evidence?
Still, the Duke defendants were luckier than most defendants who face similar situations.
Five years ago, I raised questions about the charges leveled against Carl Chatman, a homeless man accused of raping a woman in the Daley Center.
Why was there no DNA evidence to link Chatman to the crime? How did Chatman manage to slip into the Daley Center and sleep under a bench all night? Why did a traffic cop pick the indigent Chatman out on the street and take him back to the scene of the crime? And why would Chatman, who is mentally ill, dictate a detailed confession to a detective?
But two years later, a jury took a half hour to convict Chatman of raping the clerk in her office. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
"It was the fact that the victim was detailed in her description of what happened, and the defendant had a written, signed, nine-page statement with all the details," a juror told reporters after the conviction.
The woman and her husband have filed civil suits against Cook County, the Public Building Commission, Aargus Security Systems, the Cook County sheriff, ANR Janitorial Service, MB Beitler Management Corp. and Carl Chatman.
Apparently, those suits have led lawyers to do a little more digging.
Filed civil suits then, too
It turns out that in 1979, the Daley Center victim was also raped early in the morning (7 a.m.) at another downtown office building -- allegedly in a washroom by a janitor.
The victim identified a Polish immigrant from a photograph as the man who raped her. Because the suspect spoke very little English, he was given an interpreter and was subsequently arrested.
The accused fled the country before going to trial. But he left a letter behind with his sister, telling her he had no idea what the charges were all about but that the accusation had ruined his life.
The Daley Center victim filed civil suits in that case as well, naming the owners of the office building, the maintenance service, security company and the alleged rapist.
As incredible as it may sound, the information about the first rape and resulting lawsuits was not brought up during Chatman's trial.
Lawyers representing Chatman are now attempting to get him a new trial based on ineffective representation.
"The evidence will show the injustice of this case," said Russell Ainsworth of Lovey & Lovey, lawyers who are representing Chatman in the civil case.
"You have a 50-year-old veteran who is homeless with mental illness who is taken advantage of by this alleged victim solely to make a dime off the taxpayers of Cook County," he said.
Because rape victims are given a shield of protection, I am not identifying the woman. But I did attempt to contact her attorney, Joe Powers.
Maybe it is just a tragic coincidence that this woman was raped twice under similar circumstances. But I'm concerned that Chatman was simply another example of a "rush to judgment" who did not have the means to defend himself.
Hopefully, the Duke lacrosse case has made more of us sensitive to the plight of people like Chatman.
gee, all over
Mary, Keeping with your agenda, I guess the title of your column should be "Thank God the Duke lacrosse taem is White."
Mary, is Chatman still in jail? If he is, then columnists like yourself should write a column (which you have) and ask some so-called liberal do-goodie lawyers and investigators if they'd take up his case. Lets see just how fair some of these so-called do-goodies really are. Or is it all just about money?
As for the Duke Lacrosse players, despite the stereotype, they were not all upper-class kids. One of the accused was a fireman's son. A couple on the team didn't even have two parents. Like any other athletes in the Division-1 NCAA, they had scholarships to help pay there way through school.
I feel there situation was far worse then the Rutgers ladies, for this reason. They faced jail time, not just an insult from a mumbling burned-out 66 year old egotistical shock jock.
The ladies come out of this as hero's. You never know they LOST the championship game to Tennessee. Yet, there the ones on Oprah, being interviewed, what have you. Not Tennessee. Nobody is saying how the Tennessee girls sacrificed to become champions, how they balanced there studies and basketball. Only the Rutgers girls are being swooned-over. Like radio host Mike North said, " these girls now got every opportunity. If they just have decent grades, companies and corporations will be competing to hire a lady who played on the Rutgers ladies basketball team." This repulsive insult by Imus has given them more advantages then they would have had before.
On the other hand, these Duke boys are scarred for life. There will always be this thought in the back of people's minds. One of the defendents already lost a job that had been offered him. Plus, the finances needed to defend themselves. Along with their families, there were different groups that gave to funds inorder for their defenses. And there names and pictures where shown all over the world. Yet, the accuser who perpetrated the lie, most media outlets still won't give her name and picture (The Drudge Report did. Her name is Crystal Gail Mangum. And she had a prior record which was also shown).
All the 'finger-pointers' don't even have the decency to apologize. First you had a rogue DA named Mike Nifong, who put his personal political aspirations ahead of the truth. Who was influenced by the African-American community of Durham, who wanted blood, as they say, as a way of getting back at Duke. Is this what a liberal court system is going to look like? Second, you had 88 predominately guilt-ridden liberal white professors at Duke (at least 80 were white), who signed a ridiculous petition. And despite all the degrees on their walls, they need to learn that 'you are innocent until proven guilty' and not the other way around. Third, you had your usual camera-hogs (Jackson and Sharpton) who also convicted the boys without even having a shred of evidence. And now are double-talking saying they didn't. Even though there are tapes and video's that say otherwise.
Believe me, the Duke boys had it alot worse, and especially for the long run, then the Rutgers girls. Also, I hate EXCUSES. Especially, well its ok for Jackson or rappers or comedians to make racist comments or demeaning slurs, because there private citizens and not a commentator. Last I looked, Jackson wrote a weekly column in the Sun-Times (so he is a media person), and the comedians are seen on TV all over the country.
Mary,
I would like to suggest that you reword your recent well written article to include people of all economic backgrounds.
You wrote: "Hopefully, the Duke lacrosse case has made more of us sensitive to the plight of people like Chatman."
Please consider:
"Hopefully, the Duke lacrosse case has made more of us sensitive to the plight of people like Chatman or anyone else who's been put in this unfortunate situation.
Thanks,
Sun Times Reader
I think that we need to see this for what it was and what it has become.
I am disgusted by what Imus said, I am glad he apologized and I am glad the team accepted it...it is over now! That is what it was.
It has become a political tool being used by the left...these are the same ones that have been using you for years.
I expected the title of this blog to be "Thank God the Duke Lacrosse team was white"...
Clearly too many black suspects have been railroaded...albeit for different reasons than the Duke players. The Duke case is an example in today's society of the power of minorities in this country when they can completely railroad kids, and essentially covertly threaten/extort the DA into pressing false charges.
If you're waiting for Jessie and/or Al to apologize, it won't happen. That could open them up to a huge lawsuit like the players will likely take up against the DA and Duke University.
A little off the subject I suppose. But Mary and everybody, Lacrosse is probably America's oldest game. I say that because it was invented by the Native-Americans, who were playing it when the colonialists came to America. Specially among the six-nations tribes such as the Seneca and Mohawks, in what we know as New York state. They had both intra- and inter-tribes contests. Probably the two most famous college Lacrosse stars we would know are Dick Schapp (who died awhile back), the famous sports reporter and host, who played for Cornell. And the most famous one of all, Jim Brown. Yes, that Jim Brown. Perhaps the greatest runningback in the history of the NFL. The all-pro of the Cleveland Browns. And after he retired a movie-actor and activist. Jim was All-American in Lacrosse as well as football, at Syracuse. And always said Lacrosse was his favorite sport.
Mary,
With the last statement of your article pertaining narrowly to the unfortunate Chapman, the focus of color misses the greater picture. The statement could definitely be reworded to include people of all socioeconomic backgrounds as even the Duke Three had monies yet no 'priviledges'.
Thanks,
Sun Times Reader
Hopefully the three Duke players who were railroaded, and other young white people of their generation, have learned a lesson from this pathetic event. And that lesson is that some people will hate you and ruthlessly try to destroy you simply because of the color of your skin. These affluent Duke players probably grew up in a very sheltered upbringing. So they probably had no idea how badly some of their fellow U.S. citizens hate them. So maybe this will serve as a wakeup call to them and other young people like them that they must always watch their backs, and they must also be very selective when choosing their friends. To me, that's the biggest lesson that could come out of this.
My brother has been in prison 20 yrs for a rape. The victim first pointed her finger at another man, accousing him inside a courtroom. The lab rape report has another man name on it. Also the report contains no proof of a rape. This is most comman in Northeast Ms. So glad the Duke student don't have to face what my brother has.
Yeah......let's talk to "reverends" sharpton and Jesse Jackson about "rush to judgement" shall we?????? is the Sun times going to fire him over this????? he should be FIRED!!!!!! THEY SHOULD LOSE THEIR JOBS!!!!! THEY SHOULD BE DISGRACED OVER their TOTALLY RACIST (and YES it was RACIST!!!) DIATRIBE against the Lacrosse team!!!!!!!!! THEY CONVICTED THE TEAM BEFORE THE TRIAL>>>>> PEOPLE LOST THEIR JOBS BEFORE THEIR DAY IN COURT!!!!
WHERE ARE THE APOLOGIES!!!!!! WHAT!!!! NO MONEY TO EXTORT FROM COMPANIES to contribute to JACKSON'S "money for my ilegitimate child fund"????????
enough is enough......
these two need to be put out to pasture............
Hi Mary, I am a new Mitchell blogger. I am actually a sports blogger, but so many sports bloggers kept referencing you - good and bad. It appears no one wants to talk about the Duke Lacrosse team. I was so happy for them. I am happy for anyone who gets justice. Money is important in our legal system. Seligmann said well! Getting justice costs money, and his heart went out to any person who didn't have the means to PROPERLY defend themselves. Sadly, its an experience that every American needs to experience to understand. We naievely believe in our justice system, and do not realize what big business it is. Its as corrupt as any company that ever existed in America - including Enron. For those with money - there JUSTICE. For those without money its JUST US.
Hi Mary,
I don't know if I read your blog correctly. This week in "Newsweek" it was pointed out that there was a DNA test done in the Duke Lacrosse Team situation.
The entire Duke Lacrosse Team submitted DNA.
The accuser had men's DNA on her, but it did not match anyone from the Duke Lacrosse team.
Regards.
Mary,
I don't get it. You claim to want respect. Well, Give it! I've written to ask that you reword your column about the Duke Three and this Chapman guy. The focus isn't the color of skin at the end of the article, but priviledge. Neither the Duke 3 nor Chapman had it regardless of their socioeconomic background.
That's all I was asking for.
Thanks,
Sun Times Reader
"to Mark: Go to the DrudgeReport. The false accuser in the Duke Lacrosse team case has finally been identified. Drudge says who she is (Crystal Gail Mangum) and has her picture and 2 extra pages of police reports on her prior problems with the law."
Before I make my comment I should probably comment on a post made by John on the previous topic. The lying name has been out for quite some time. The one and only honest person in the entire media industry (the great Tom Leykis) put out her name a year ago in two days (April 21, 2006). The reason you never heard of it before is because one of the biggest industries in the world lacks integrity (that industry being the one that our good friend Mary works for). He spent a good deal of time researching the accuser and finally put out the truth on his nationally syndicated radio show (which you can hear on 105.9 FM in Chicago). He did the same thing with Marv Albert's accuser (Vanessa Perhach), Kobe's accuser (Kate Faber), and others. He has always been a supporter of equal rights and responsibilities in a wide range of areas (reproductive, gender, criminal, and media). Since the major media outlets won't hide the identities of the accused until proven guilty so their lives won't be destroyed (as we've seen here), he's taken it upon himself to do the research on major cases where the media chooses to excercise its own warped version of integrity and give out the names of the accusers.
I hate to go too far off on this tangent, but I think even Mary will appreciate this one. I was listening to one of Tom's show from last week and he talked about giving out CGM's name on the air. Mary, you'll love this. He talked about how different the reaction of the public was when he gave out Kate Faber's name and when he gave out CGM's name. When he gave out Kate Faber's name, he did one hundred and fifty interviews with various hypocrites (domestic violence advocates, rape advocates, media personalities, and others). When he gave out CGM's name, he did five interviews. That's right. Five! That's thirty times fewer interviews for a black woman than a white woman under very similar circumstances (of course, who really cares about these liars?). Even I have to admit that there is probably something very suspect here (racist news organizations? overly-PC news organizations? busy news organizations?).
So, having said all that, I'll comment on her post.
"The flawed case exposed the worst elements of the criminal justice system and showed how easily an innocent person can be railroaded into jail."
True. But, does anybody really care enough to do anything about it when a man is the victim? Of course not! If there is any situation that this could be remotely compared to it would have to be paternity fraud. Paternity fraud (the act of naming an innocent man as the father of a child that the woman knows or suspects is not the father) is legal in most states still. Feminist groups, supposed child-advocacy groups, and government institutions are all in favor of women being allowed to falsely name men as fathers with no repurcussions when the truth is revealed because men have money and they want it. While the consequences of paternity fraud are not as dangerous to a man's physical well-being as the consequences of a false rape charge, both situations can destroy a man's life and both situations are deemed okay by citizens of this nation. One look at the Manuel Navarro and Taron James cases will show just how much people in this country care about equality for men in the justice system.
Now, if the victims in these kinds of cases were women, legislators and the media would be crying for changes in the law to protect innocent individuals. We would have sexist laws like "False Accusations Against Women Act" (not as catchy as VAWA, but you get the point). We would see more instances of political pandering to the more illogical sex. But, since the victims are men, we'll just stick with the status quo.
"Why no DNA evidence?"
Exactly what are you implying here?
By the way, there was DNA evidence. There was DNA evidence that backed up other irrefutable evidence (there was surveillance video of one of the boys at an ATM when he was supposed to be raping that liar and cell phone records that showed another boy on the phone during the alleged rape (was he talking with his girlfriend while raping CGM?)) that showed that these boys were not the perpetrators (if there was one in the first place).
"Still, the Duke defendants were luckier than most defendants who face similar situations."
They were only luckier in the sense that they weren't convicted of the charges that were brought against them. Their lives have been destroyed. Employers now do background checks and Google searches on prospective employees. What do you think is going to come up on these boys? Who is going to want to hire someone with such a cloud of doubt over their heads? Look what happened to Lamar Owens (US Navy football teams former quarterback). His life has been forever changed (it's also worth noting that the female in that case was allowed to continue her career with no repurcussions). Just because a man is acquitted of rape does not mean the public will ever look at him the same. False rape charges destroy men's lives, whether they are convicted or not.
"Because rape victims are given a shield of protection, I am not identifying the woman."
First of all, there is absolutely no evidence that this woman is a victim of anything. In fact, the evidence in this case and her history of criminal behavior makes it easy to assume that this woman lied.
Second, you are part of the problem that I mentioned in the beginning of my comment. To give alleged victims anonymity but not the alleged perpetrators allows women like this to cast stones over a wall. Even before the charges were filed, the public had made up its own mind about these boys because of (in my opinion) criminally negligent people like Mike Nifong, Jesse Jackson, and every other person who dragged these boys' names through the mud before any of the facts were known. By the time any jurors would have been selected, there would have been noone left to pick from who didn't already have a preconceived notion of guilt. The media should either protect the names of all parties or none at all. Protecting one person's identity and not the other's prejudices any potential jury against one side and undermines one of the most important aspects of our justice system: the presumption of innocence.
And third, her name has already been released by the major networks. With everything that we now know about this woman, why are you still protecting this woman? For those of you who missed the first part of my comment, her name is Crystal Gail Mangum. She has a lengthy criminal past, lied about the rape, falsely accused three innocent men of a heinous crime, and is probably going to get away with it.
Finally, there is another group of people who are affected by this woman's false accusations. True rape victims. Women like CGM and Kate Faber make it harder for every true rape victim to get true justice. When women like CGM and Kate Faber make false claims of rape more and more people wonder about the claims of true rape victims. When true victims of rape see the aftermath of false accusations they will be less likely to come forward for fear of not being believed. Of course, without the irresponsible media they would have nothing to fear.
By the way, when are those self-righteous bigots, Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson, going to apologize for slandering these innocent boys' names? It's a testament to the fickleness and lack of integrity of the American public that they were so easily distracted by the Imus situation that they completely forgot about how much hatred and vitriol Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson spewed about these boys. The black community should depose the self-appointed President and Vice-President of Black America and elect new representatives that believe in equality and justice for ALL people and who can admit that they made a horrific mistake that affected innocent people.
Mary,
If you were honest, you would have condemned Sharpton and Jackson for their "rush to judgment" in this case. They just knew these "priviledged white boys" were guilty from the start.
Mary, how did Sharpton and Jackson come to this conclusion? The Duke accuser is Black and the accused are White. Isn't that the very definition of racism? Judging someone by the color of their skin?
But of course, Sharpton and Jackson get a free pass in your book. I guess Blacks could never be racist towards Whites, right? I guess a little racism is OK here and there, right? I mean, they did get rid of that huge racist Imus, right?
You're right: the Duke exoneration should be a catalyst for change. It's time to stop turning a blind eye to Sharpton's and Jackson's racist antics.
Stop being a hypocrite.
Any false accusations that sre made are serious, in any case wther white or black. This stripper should be charged for false reports as well as sued for civil damages and slander. That goes for anyone "knowingly and intentionally" making up crimes against others. Our system is strong when used right, when abused it is weak and hurts all.
Duke lacrosse/rape team: Enabling boys to be "boys"
One of the most perplexing stories this past week in the news has been the Duke lacrosse being exonerated from any charges/fault for an alleged rape of a stripper at one of their immature frat boy parties. ABC News had these boys portrayed as victims of the ravenous media. They made it seem like these innocent college boys were just being boys and this evil wench was just trying to cash in on the boys' affluence.
Some of the usual idiotic news sources continue to refer to the case as "racially charged" because the stripper was black & the Duke boys were white. Again, the political correctness lens has distorted the real concerns in this case.
If these boys were such model citizens, why the hell then are they hiring strippers to begin with?
Are these boys just being boys?
The lawyers for the three main now-exonerated suspects have been whining on camera all week about how these poor fellas will now have to face lifelong consequences because of a false allegation. These innocent boys will have difficulty getting jobs, etc...
I really doubt that most employers that will look to hire these boys in the near future for their respective talents will hardly care about what happened, even if it truly had happened the way the stripper said things happened. These boys don't have to worry much about their future employment prospects at all. Not in a misogynistic society that hardly blinks an eye at the objectification of women.
Don't get me wrong. I think the young lady that was hired by these boys to entertain them during one of their obligatory frat boy beer-vomit parties has made some less-than-wise choices about how to make a buck. But I guess if there is a demand for naked dancers,there will be people willing to meet that demand. That is the main problem here.
Whether a court of law decides that these boys are guilty or innocent, we have overlooked the fact that we are willing to continue to accept boorish and neanderthal-like behavior from our young men. We accept that this is what college life should be. Beer, boobs and debauchery. A perpetual "animal house" that never ceases to exist as long as there are colleges and fraternities with willing young people that have had little parental or spiritual direction in their entire lives, tons of hormones and alcohol and little or no brains. Oh. And stupid college administrators that will always say... "boys will be boys".
And that is exactly what these "now-innocent" frat boys are. Little boys in the bodies of grown young men.
I can not believe some people are hurt and angry because Jackson and Sharpton run to help those that "may" need their help. Seligman said it himself - he was glad he could properly defend himself. Jackson and Sharpton are not perfect. No one is. But I commend them for trying to help someone who might need it. I don't care about their mistakes or President Clinton's (was wrong to come after him). Americans are too judgemental. We do nothing and judge - while Jesse and Sharpton are men of action. I wonder how many of you would refuse their help if you were in a tough spot? Bunch of hypocrites. I hate bullies, and especially those that are greedy and want EVERYTHING for themselves. Such greed and hate is the opposite of LOVE. Jackson made a mistake in the Lacrosse case, but he moved for the right reason.
Rey...I think it's you who has things distorted.
Who made this a "racially charged" event? The local black activists and two moths who love racially charged events - Jackson and Sharpton.
It's the same reason how the media spins legitimate immigration issues and stampeding on the people who are here ILLEGALLY!
As long as we have the Slum Times we can continue to read trash like this.
why the media blackout on Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom? two whites raped and MURDERED by blacks. where is the outcry that there was for the duke case?
As usual Mary, you're missing the point...
God forbid, but let's say next month, a black girl is raped by a handful of white men. Guess what's on the mind of the DA...he will go the complete opposite end of the spectrum to prove guilt. You won't get the gullible TV and radio (and Jessie and Al) to bite again.
Wait...the last post was 2 months ago...maybe you're dead or something.
First off to Mr. Flores couldn't have said it better myself second to Matt and 'Gerry' well look who in the HELL is talking?!! The so-called 'justice' system has been a sad,sordid MESS for years now but the only time white folks complain is when YOU don't reap the benfits. Or have to actully see how the OTHER half live oww poor baby and as for that 'apology' why don't any of YOU apologize to the boys in the Central Park jogger case or Willie Bennett. Remember him he's the one who sat in prison for 2 weeks unable to eat his food because other prisoners were spitting in it and he was there ONLY because a white man[Charles Stuart]said a 'black man did it' which is apparently all you need to convict in this country. So if want to talk 'hypocrites' try a MIRROR first because I sure don't remember this call for 'apologies' when it was HIM bottom line black males especially those accused of raping white females have been getting destroyed and ahhinalited for DECADES without anyone worrying about 'innocent lives being destroyed'. Where are YOUR apologies for that?!! The justice system has NEVER been for all and we all know it so spare me the whines of 'racism' or reverse racism because NONE of you know the first damn thing about it unless you WANT things to truly be even which they aren't. So stop kidding yourselves these supposedly 'innocent' boys are just a DROP in a very wide bucket of the kind of oppressive lagal system black people have been dealing with since we got here. And I KNOW you aren't talking about Jesse's infidelity with all the white male sleazebag politicians but then of course you all are little angels and should have perfect little lives far removed from those 'not like you'.
Rey Flores...you speak about having "little or no brains".
With your idiotic diatribe, it's obvious you have personal experience with that affliction (u may need to look up the word in the dictionary).
Well, people are now waiting to see what happens to the Barbie Bandits who robbed a bank and went on a shopping spree. My guess, based on last night airing of Primetime on ABC, they are now considered the innocent "victims", and the plan was MASTERMIND by the Black boy friend. Unbelievable! It was clear they were out of control, self-admitted drug users, and stripping naked for cash. No suprise that they were greedy for more cash by planning a bank heist and dividing the cash equally. The best defense they have is their "black" criminals friends who will take the fall and NO RESPONBILITY OR PUNISHMENT WILL BE GIVEN TO THE BLOND ANGELS. ONLY IN AMERICA!!
Is Jackson still going to have Mangum's college education paid for? Whats the latest on that, Mary?
Mary, I can't figure out how your blog pages work, but in regards to today's 09-09-07 column and a couple of others, and the discussion on what determines a hate crime, I need to ask about the following statement from today's column:
"But many of us are appalled by cross-racial assaults like the one that occurred in the Beverly neighborhood last summer when 14-year-old Ryan Rusch was beaten by three African Americans."
Weren't you on the WTTW panel right after the incident discussing why the assault on Ryan wasn't a hate crime, and stating that one of the requirements for a hate crime is that you call the person a racially derogatory name?
Respectfully, I would suggest that commenters about whether the Obamas are "black enough" take a journey back in African, American and World history. One of the discoveries will be that there have already been 5 Negro presidents of the United States.
Many Black people are not aware of this part of American history because it has not been taught in our education system's history books. In the interest of informing and educating versus dividing and exchanging insults, I propose that if you "google" Joel Augustus Rogers or JA Rogers, you will find summaries of 1 of his many books, Five Negro Presidents. Among others, the book cites Warren G Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Abraham Lincoln as having been Black presidents who did not acknowledge their "blackness". The Obamas clearly identify themselves, so what's the issue?
Will someone please find out if and when George Ryan is going tom prison??? I am a prosecutor and I put people in prison each week and to the best of my recollection very few if a