Crystal Mangum, a former exotic dancer and convicted murderer, confessed on Thursday that she fabricated a story in 2006 accusing three Duke University lacrosse players of rape. Mangum, who is currently serving a prison sentence for the second-degree murder of her boyfriend in 2013, made the admission during an interview with the independent media outlet Let’s Talk With Kat at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women.
Mangum, 46, expressed remorse for her actions, stating that she had lied for personal validation. She also asked for forgiveness from the three former players, David Evans, Collin Finnerty, and Reade Seligmann, whom she had falsely accused. She referred to the men as her “brothers” in the biblical sense and expressed hope that they could forgive her.
This is the first time Mangum has publicly admitted to fabricating the rape allegations. However, she cannot be prosecuted for perjury due to the expiration of the two-year statute of limitations under North Carolina law.
The false accusations made by Mangum in 2006 caused a national uproar. The case was further inflamed when the then-Durham County district attorney, Mike Nifong, publicly stated that a racially motivated sexual assault had occurred. However, DNA tests failed to support his claims, leading him to retract his statement.
The fallout from the allegations was significant. Richard Brodhead, the then-president of Duke University, accepted the resignation of the men’s lacrosse coach, Mike Pressler, canceled the remainder of the season, and suspended the three accused players from school. However, all charges against the players were dismissed in April 2007, and they were found innocent.
In the aftermath of the case, Nifong was disbarred by the North Carolina State Bar in June 2007 for lying in court and withholding DNA evidence. Brodhead also faced criticism for his handling of the situation and later issued an apology.
Evans, Finnerty, and Seligmann later sued Brodhead and Duke University, alleging that they had been deprived of their right to a fair trial. The case was settled for an undisclosed amount. Mangum, who was indicted for first-degree murder and two counts of larceny in March 2011, is currently serving a 14- to 18-year prison sentence.