Aftershock from Rape Allegation Continues
By Kelsey Richards

Last week a search warrant was released that confirmed some of the victim’s allegations when police found some of her broken fingernails and other personal belongings inside the house where the alleged rape took place.

Prosecutors have also been looking into past allegations against the lacrosse team that have been filed during the past seven years, including 41 different team members who have been charged with misdemeanors.

“You know, we are all in America so we should presume innocence, even in something that has gotten so much response as this,” said UNC-CH senior Samuel Hayes.

This weekend the defense discovered several time-stamped photographs that were taken at the party before the alleged rape occurred. The defense is using the photos to show that the victim was already severely bruised and banged up before she arrived at the party.

“At first I was pretty convinced that they were guilty, but now I’m not so sure,” said UNC-CH junior Bennett Wetch.

Richard Brodhead, the president of Duke University, has initiated several committees to investigate whether the men’s lacrosse team was out of control before the alleged rape. The committees are also investigating the time it took Duke to respond to the issue.

“I don’t really know if anything good can come out of it -- even if they’re accused or if they are acquitted from it,” Hayes said.

I went to Duke to ask some students what they thought about the situation and whether they think this panel will help things on campus. Sixty-two students chose not to be interviewed. Those who did speak were reserved.

“I don’t think what happened is representative of the Duke student population in general at all. This is more an issue of individual actions,” said Duke senior Damiam Denoble.

Duke students say they are ready for this controversy to end.