Press Release
Crystal Mangum Recants Allegations Against Duke Lacrosse Players Nearly Two Decades Later
In a startling confession, Crystal Mangum, who falsely accused three Duke University men’s lacrosse players of rape in 2006, has admitted to fabricating her claims. During an interview with Katerena DePasquale on “Let’s Talk with Kat”, conducted from the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women, Mangum expressed remorse and sought forgiveness from David Evans, Collin Finnerty, and Reade Seligmann.
Currently serving time for a separate second-degree murder conviction, Mangum stated, "I testified falsely against them by saying that they raped me when they didn’t." She revealed that her fabricated story was a cry for validation, noting, "I wanted validation from people and not from God." Despite the clarity of her admission, Mangum cannot be prosecuted for perjury due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.
The case initially drew national attention and led to a significant backlash against the lacrosse players, culminating in their wrongful charges being dismissed in 2007. The players subsequently received an undisclosed settlement from Duke University after alleging a biased response from former University President Richard Brodhead.
Mangum’s public apology comes years after she maintained a different narrative in her 2008 book, suggesting ambiguity about the incident. In her latest interview, she described the players as her "brothers," acknowledging that they "didn’t deserve" the accusations.
The lacrosse scandal significantly impacted the lives of all involved, including Mangum, who emphasized her faith in her appeal for forgiveness. She encourages the accused to heal, saying, "God loves them and that God is loving them through me."
This confession, almost 17 years after the original allegations, adds a complex layer to a case that continues to resonate within discussions of justice and media influence.
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