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The Chronicled '•
Defense questions lax investigator Amid buzz, Lawyers challenge CCI REPORT
Wilsons
Duke unveils bold report
tactics, interview findings BY ZAK KAZZAZ THE CHRONICLE
Defense attorneys are now calling into
question the tactics and experience of a lead investigator in the Duke lacrosse case. Linwood Wilson, the only current fulltime investigator for Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong, has drawn criticism from lawyers who challenge Wilson’s investigative methods and his pivotal interview with the alleged victim. Joe Cheshire—defense attorney for indicted men’s lacrosse player David Evans, Trinity ’o6—said the information Wilson retrieved from interviews with witnesses has a pattern of contradicting the information provided in previous statements. Several defense lawyers said new information obtained by Wilson in interviews often paralleled the direction sought by Nifong in the case. “All investigators are supposed to provide objective information to the lawyers that they’re working with, and if you have an investigator that does not do that then justice is not served,” Cheshire said. “In this case it seems that the boss did not want objective information.” In December, Wilson conducted the interview in which the alleged victim changed the timeline of the alleged attack and her account of the incident. Nifong’s decision to drop rape charges against the three indicted players emanated from a 19-word side comment in the handwritten notes of Wilson from the interview in which the alleged victim said a penis was not involved in the alleged attack, defense attorneys said. In recent weeks, lawyers have also questioned the arrest of the taxicab driver on an old warrant that Wilson found.
Adam Eaglin THE CHRONICLE
by
After nearly 10 months ofresearch and discussion, the Campus Culture Initiative Steering Committee released its report to the Duke community Tuesday afternoon, presenting a number of recommendations about major aspects of campus life. Ranging from disbanding selective living sections on West Campus to altering admissions policies, the committee’s recommendations focus on undergraduate life and the theme of “engag[ing] difference constructively.” Although administrators acknowledged the likelihood of opposition to some aspects of the report, they said the next phase of discussion will require each recommendation to be carefully considered. “I hope it stimulates thoughtfulness, creativity and engagement on campus, rather than polarization,” said Larry SEE CCI ON PAGE 11
iHAI HO/THE Cl
Investigator Linwood Wilson (back) looks on as Joe Cheshire talks to themedia during a June court date. “I think we’ve made it pretty clear what we think about the work that Mr. Wilson has done to this point,” Cheshire said. “If we have to litigate it, we will.” Wilson’s background, hiring Wilson had been retired eight years
when Nifong hired him in December 2004 investigate fraudulent checks as the “worthless check program coordinator.” Wilson began his career as an investigator for the Durham Police Department to
Go to dukenews.duke.edu for the full text of the report. Also, read President Brodhead's
exclusive column on CCl's release.
See Pg. 22
SEE WILSON ON PAGE 7
Group offers undergrads legal advice by Lysa Chen THE CHRONICLE
CHARLES
PIERCE/THE CHRONICLE
Sophomore Nick Alexander heads up a program to give undergraduates free peer legal advice.
Trips to the Office of Judicial Affairs can be intimidating, but a new undergraduate-run program now aims to provide students with the knowledge they need to complete the process. Duke University Student Legal Assistance has set out to assist and counsel students on Judicial Affairs issues, collect information on past cases and find free or reduced-fee representation for Duke students, according to the group’s recently adopted constitution. “It doesn’t have to be that you’re in trouble,” said DuSLA President Nick Alexander, a sophomore. “We can help with any type of legal issue, such as just a question or a parking ticket. Mainly, it’s a ‘start here’ point.”
The group—which is in the process of being chartered —will be run by trained undergraduates, Alexander said. Its membership currently includes 15 undergraduates and five law students. Founder and Adviser Jim McDonald, a first-year student at the School of Law, said the idea for DuSLA stemmed from his experience as a Graduate Resident Aycock Dormitory. “Last semester, maybe four to five kids knocked on my door because they knew I was a law student,” he said. “They asked for advice from things like Judicial Affairs to drinking tickets.” McDonald said he did not see many outlets on campus for students to find legal assistance, adding that the law SEE DUSLA ON PAGE 10
STEPHANIE KOZIKOWSKI/THE CHRONICLE
Robert Thompson, chair of the CCI Steering Committee, speaks at an October DSG meeting.