News of the Weird

It's Mike Nifong Appreciation Week in Durham.

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While banks, some schools, a few businesses, the post office, and many other government agencies were closed yesterday in honor of Presidents Day, a new tribute was launched in Durham in celebration of disgraced DA Mike Nifong. At a luncheon yesterday to kick off “Prosecutorial Misconduct Week,” Defendant Nifong applauded the event's organizers, Victoria Peterson and Jackie Wagstaff, for being in touch with reality unlike his critics, who it should be noted include the North Carolina State Bar, the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys, members of the NC General Assembly and the US Congress, and other “hecklers" from coast to coast.

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The event, held in Nifong's office and apparently attended only by the luncheon's organizers, two additional citizens, and staffers of the District Attorney’s office was covered, predictably, by the Snooze Room’s John Stevenson:

“District Attorney Appreciation Week" was launched Monday for embattled Durham chief prosecutor Mike Nifong, who suggested the event's organizers are more in tune with reality than countless out-of-state hecklers who criticize his handling of the controversial Duke lacrosse sex-offense case.”

"If you rely on certain media, you might think there is universal disapproval of me," Nifong said..."But if you're closer to home, you realize that's not true."

“Two of those behind Monday's Nifong appreciation luncheon in the DA's Office in the Durham County Courthouse were Victoria Peterson, rebuked by City Council members last month for making an anti-Duke statement at a public meeting, and former school board member Jackie Wagstaff, who five years ago received a favorable plea bargain on charges that she used a nonprofit organization to falsify requests involving $1,452 of taxpayers' money.”

“Peterson, Wagstaff, Durham resident Minnie Brown and another woman were the only nonstaff Nifong supporters on hand when a Herald-Sun writer dropped by late into Monday's luncheon -- about 1:15 p.m. Peterson said other members of the public had been there and left. Roughly a dozen others still around the table at 1:15 work for Nifong.”

“No additional events are scheduled for "Appreciation Week," but Peterson said she hoped more people would participate by sending flowers, cards or any token of support to the beleaguered district attorney.”

“But as they munched barbecued chicken, mashed potatoes and corn at an "Appreciation Week" luncheon Monday, no one mentioned the fact that Nifong's law license is on the line for allegedly making unethical statements about the lacrosse incident and -- also allegedly -- withholding evidence favorable to three indicted defendants.”

The robust turnout for yesterday’s event indicates that things are looking up for Defendant Nifong as it represents quite an improvement over Ms. Peterson’s last effort on his behalf, “Rally for Justice” which attracted only Peterson, Jackie Wagstaff, and the cameras of WTVD on January 12.

(Please Note: This post is not a parody.)