A Two-Fonged Approach

Throughout the Hoax, Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong has demonstrated on many occasions that truth and he have a fickle, on-again/off-again relationship. This tumultuous love-hate affair is most apparent when comparing Mr. Nifong’s statements to the court with his own contradictory statements to the public and the press.

To the media

In a March 31 interview with a News & Observer reporter, Nifong was asked "How many interviews do you think you've given?"

"In excess of 50," Nifong said. N&O

To the court

"I'm glad Bannon brought up the internet. The internet is reporting that I gave 50-70 interviews. I've checked my calendar and have approximately 15 interviews noted on my calendar the last being April 1st. Otherwise I've been responding with no comment." Mike Nifong, Duke Hoax hearing, September 22, 2006 LS

To David Smith, chairman of Friends of Durham PAC:

"And we asked Mike Nifong, and one of his comments was that he's the only one that's interviewed this victim," Smith said. "And he feels confident in his case."

To the court:

"I've had conversations with (the accuser) about how she's doing. I've had conversations with (the accuser) about her seeing her kids," Nifong said. "I haven't talked with her about the facts of that night. ... We're not at that stage yet."

Nifong said he met with the accuser and an investigator on April 11, but didn't discuss details of the case because the woman was "too traumatized." Nifong said the woman didn't make eye contact with him and often seemed on the verge of crying. Their discussion centered around how the case would develop, he said."She probably did not speak 15 words during the meeting," Nifong said. SF Gate

To the media:

"And we were trying to, just as Dr. Meehan said, trying to avoid dragging any names through the mud but at the same time his report made it clear that all the information was available if they wanted it and they have every word of it,” Nifong said after court in clarifying his remarks to say that he knew about the DNA results. N&O

To the court:

"The state is not aware of any additional material or information which may be exculpatory in nature with respect to the defendant [Seligmann]," Nifong wrote in a court filing [May 18].

To the media:

"And we were trying to, just as Dr. Meehan said, trying to avoid dragging any names through the mud but at the same time his report made it clear that all the information was available if they wanted it and they have every word of it,” Nifong said after court in clarifying his remarks to say that he knew about the DNA results. N&O

To the court:

“The first I had heard of this particular situation was when I was served with this particular motion” on Wednesday, Nifong told the judge. N&O

To the media:

"And we were trying to, just as Dr. Meehan said, trying to avoid dragging any names through the mud but at the same time his report made it clear that all the information was available if they wanted it and they have every word of it,” Nifong said after court in clarifying his remarks to say that he knew about the DNA results. N&O

To the court:

"We're providing in good faith what we can in these circumstances," Nifong said. "Despite the feelings of some people, this is not the only case in Durham." AP

To the media:

"In terms of what I said, no, I wouldn't say I regret anything I've said," Nifong said. N&O

To the court:

Nifong responded that revocation of law licenses should be the penalty for violating the rules. "No attorney should have any objection whatsoever to complying with the bar rules," Nifong said. N&O

It appears that we finally have found something that we can agree with Nifong on.