Restoring Lost Innocence
This column was written by CBS News Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.
I spoke with famed defense attorney Roy Black today, and he told me that never in his life has he seen anything like Mike Nifong's performance in the Duke lacrosse case.
Nifong is the district attorney in Durham, N.C., who now faces a second round of charges from the North Carolina bar. You'll remember that a stripper at a Duke lacrosse party claimed that she had been raped by several players.
What it looks like now is that after the original investigation turned up no DNA connection between the players and the woman, Nifong proceeded to get another set of tests done. Those also showed that while the victim had had sexual contact with someone, it sure wasn't with any of the Duke lacrosse players.
From day one, the players have professed their innocence. But, thanks to Nifong, they were quickly convicted in the court of public opinion. The question now is: How do they get their innocence back.
Harry's daily commentary can be heard on many CBS Radio News affiliates across the country.