Round Two: Here Come the Suits (the lawsuits, that is)
"The case we have here is a clear case of intentional prosecutorial misconduct," Williamson said. "This should be a reminder to everyone that the facts matter. It's not the allegation."
What I find most significant about the committee's decision to disbar Nifong is that they "unanimously agreed with the bar on almost every charge, finding that Nifong's actions involved 'dishonesty, fraud, deceit and misrepresentation' " . . . !
It would seem that the way has now been smoothly and sweetly paved for the three Duke Lacrosse players to sue the hell out of Nifong for malicious prosecution. While criminal prosecuting attorneys, such as Nifong, are normally protected from malicious prosecution suits ("I was just doing my job, ma'am!"), the allegations by the bar and the subsequent ruling of the committee would appear to be a big, bright green light for the attorneys representing the players and their families (not to mention a huge target now painted on Nifong's sweaty brow).
Unless the players and their families turn out to be the most forgiving people on the frickin' planet, I suspect things will soon get even uglier for Nifong (and the city of Durham).
I also have to wonder if Duke University will find itself embroiled in a civil suit, as well, alleging slander and libel by Duke faculty members who were supported by Duke administration. Yes, people have the right to say what they want, but sometimes "saying what you want" turns into outright slander and defamation against innocent people, and the law provides recourse in those instances.
People may not like this inconvenient fact, but Free Speech isn't always free, and it's not always protected. You can say whatever you like about the government without getting your head chopped off, but you can't publicly denounce innocent individuals as rapists without getting a lawsuit sandwich shoved indiscreetly up your a**.