Duke lacrosse accuser: Lying accuser of fake Duke gang rape guilty of murder, The so-called Duke “lacrosse accuser,” 35-year-old Crystal Mangum, was found guilty of murder Friday in the stabbing death of her former boyfriend, 46-year-old Reginald Daye. A six-member panel of jurors took approximately six hours to render their decision; Magnum will serve 14 to 18 years behind bars, reports the Charlotte Observer on Friday.
Magnum is best known for making what turned out to be fabricated accusations of rape against three male students in the racially charged Duke lacrosse case.
In 2006, while working as a stripper, Magnum and another stripper arrived at a house rented by three of the Duke University men's lacrosse team captains. Drunk, Magnum became involved in an altercation with the men and the other stripper, and left. She later said she had been gang raped.
Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong, up for reelection, pursued the case relentlessly, despite Magnum’s clearly questionable credibility and exculpatory evidence in favor of the men. The story gripped the nation, and a year later, the North Carolina Attorney General’s office dismissed the charges.
In the interim and aftermath, Duke’s lacrosse coach was forced to resign and the remainder of the 2006 lacrosse campaign was canceled by the university. The allegations had far reaching effects on students and faculty, leading to multiple lawsuits filed by the accused players and their families. Nifong was disbarred in 2007.
In the current case, Magnum claimed self-defense, saying that Daye was beating her in a jealous rage when she grabbed a knife from the kitchen and simply “poked him in the side.” Daye was hospitalized but died 10 days later.
Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway sentenced her to 14 years and two months to 18 years in prison for the second-degree murder. Magnum's attorney, Daniel Meir, said they plan to appeal.
In 2010, Magnum had a similar case brought against her. She was charged with attempted murder of her then-boyfriend, Milton Walker, and was also charged with arson and child abuse. Magnum allegedly attacked Walker and set his clothes on fire in the house where his three children were living. She was found guilty of three counts of child abuse.
Members of Daye’s family said they were satisfied with the verdict.
“We’re just grateful that justice was served for Reggie today, for his family and his friends,” said Daye’s sister, Cynthia Wilson. “We just thank everybody that played a part, and thank God. We’re just happy.”
Magnum is best known for making what turned out to be fabricated accusations of rape against three male students in the racially charged Duke lacrosse case.
In 2006, while working as a stripper, Magnum and another stripper arrived at a house rented by three of the Duke University men's lacrosse team captains. Drunk, Magnum became involved in an altercation with the men and the other stripper, and left. She later said she had been gang raped.
Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong, up for reelection, pursued the case relentlessly, despite Magnum’s clearly questionable credibility and exculpatory evidence in favor of the men. The story gripped the nation, and a year later, the North Carolina Attorney General’s office dismissed the charges.
In the interim and aftermath, Duke’s lacrosse coach was forced to resign and the remainder of the 2006 lacrosse campaign was canceled by the university. The allegations had far reaching effects on students and faculty, leading to multiple lawsuits filed by the accused players and their families. Nifong was disbarred in 2007.
In the current case, Magnum claimed self-defense, saying that Daye was beating her in a jealous rage when she grabbed a knife from the kitchen and simply “poked him in the side.” Daye was hospitalized but died 10 days later.
Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway sentenced her to 14 years and two months to 18 years in prison for the second-degree murder. Magnum's attorney, Daniel Meir, said they plan to appeal.
In 2010, Magnum had a similar case brought against her. She was charged with attempted murder of her then-boyfriend, Milton Walker, and was also charged with arson and child abuse. Magnum allegedly attacked Walker and set his clothes on fire in the house where his three children were living. She was found guilty of three counts of child abuse.
Members of Daye’s family said they were satisfied with the verdict.
“We’re just grateful that justice was served for Reggie today, for his family and his friends,” said Daye’s sister, Cynthia Wilson. “We just thank everybody that played a part, and thank God. We’re just happy.”
