RADAR ALERT:
DoJ Must Investigate Nifong Now!

There is no case of prosecutorial abuse more overdue for investigation than that of Mike Nifong, the prosecutor in the Duke Case who tried to convict men he knew to be innocent. Last week, Nifong finally admitted that the men had committed no crime. (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/lacrosse/bal-nifong0726,0,6299787.story).

There is abundant evidence that prosecutorial abuse is not rare. There are many individuals in prison for crimes they did not commit, while those who did commit the crimes roam scot-free. The Innocence Project (http://www.innocenceproject.org) has freed over 200 of them. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

The Department of Justice (DoJ) must investigate Nifong to uncover the incentives that motivated his unprofessional behavior. Many background elements, such as biased federal funding and training for prosecutors may be involved. RADAR has already revealed one training program by the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) that demonstrates prosecutors' lack of concern about convicting the innocent by failing to include any sessions on how prosecutors should identify and handle false abuse and rape allegations (http://www.ndaa.org/education/apri/natl_inst_prosecution_sv_annapolis_2007.html). Certainly, in light of the Duke case, the NDAA has a clear duty to prosecutors how to accurately serve justice in these types of cases.

At least seven bipartisan members of Congress have called for a federal probe into the Duke case (http://www.mediaradar.org/congress_calls_for_nifong_probe.php). Is there any member of Congress that can permit prosecutorial abuses of their constituents? Clearly, a full investigation must be made, and recommendations for changes in federal law and funding practices issued.

Please contact your Representative today and ask the Department of Justice to launch a full-scale investigation to find out exactly what went wrong in the Michael Nifong case. Please do one of the following:

Go to http://www.house.gov. At the top, enter your Zip code and look up your Representative's name, then go to your Representative's website. Or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Then leave this message with the Representative's staff: “The Department of Justice must investigate the Michael Nifong case now!”

Seven Representatives and one Senator have already gone on record asking for a DoJ investigation. We need to keep up the pressure, to protect innocent Americans from prosecutorial abuse!

Date of RADAR Release: July 30, 2007

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R.A.D.A.R. – Respecting Accuracy in Domestic Abuse Reporting – is a non-profit, non-partisan organization of men and women working to improve the effectiveness of our nation's approach to solving domestic violence. http://mediaradar.org