The cable news channels seem to be reporting every theory and every thought hatched by the high-priced Duke defense lawyers. I guess the D.A. has more important things to do than talk to the media, but the 'developing story' on cable news sure seems to be one-sided. When CNN isn't citing the defense lawyers, they are citing anonymous sources who just happen to sound exactly like the tiresomely talkative defense lawyers. And MSNBC's Abramson Report sounds like it's sponsored by the Duke Defense Team.
I have yet to hear it on cable news, but Newsday reports that Collin Finnerty is due in court next week, and may face jail time, for the charge of assaulting someone whom he apparently disliked for either a real or imagined gay appearance.
Duke player faces jail in other case
WASHINGTON - Collin Finnerty's court appearance for an alleged assault in Georgetown last year has been moved up to Tuesday, when the lacrosse player from Long Island will face the possibility of jail time because of allegations against him in the Duke rape case. The hearing will attempt to determine if Finnerty's arrest this week and the accusations in North Carolina are enough to warrant a revocation of the agreement that allowed him to avoid a trial and possible jail time last year, according to Channing Phillips, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office here.
In the early morning of Nov. 5, Finnerty and two friends started hurling homosexual epithets at Jeffrey Bloxsom, leading to a fight in which Bloxsom suffered a cut lip and bruised chin, according to the police report. Bloxsom's lawyer said he is not gay.
Finnerty, now 19, avoided charges by agreeing to participate in a diversion program for people in trouble with the law for the first time. Such programs call for participants to perform community service, pay restitution and stay out of trouble. If the conditions of the diversion program are met, the case is expunged from the participant's record, although a record of the arrest remains, Phillips said.
Finnerty's next court appearance for the simple assault charge was initially scheduled for Sept. 25, but after his arrest for his alleged role in the Duke rape scandal, the District of Columbia Superior Court may decide to move forward with the prosecution, Phillips said. If the agreement is revoked at the hearing, a trial date will be set and Finnerty could face up to 180 days in jail, a fine of $1,000 or both, according to Phillips.
Duke Lacrosse Finnerty Rape Race Sex Misogyny Class Gender Duke Rape Gay Homophobia Media
