ESPN will air a documentary centering on the Duke lacrosse case March 13—the 10-year anniversary of the party that quickly became a national story.
The film—titled "Fantastic Lies"—is part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series, and was announced by the network Tuesday along with other projects the series will pursue in 2016. It will be directed by Marina Zenovich.
"The hard-hitting 'Fantastic Lies' goes far beyond the playing field with an examination of how multiple factors led to a miscarriage of justice," ESPN Films Vice President and Executive Producer John Dahl said in a press release.
On March 13, 2006, members of the Duke men's lacrosse team held a party at an off-campus house, 610 N. Buchanan Blvd. Later that month, Crystal Mangum, a stripper hired by the team for the party, accused three members of the team—senior David Evans and sophomores Colin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann—of raping her.
READ: Where the lacrosse house once stood
As the scandal grew, the remainder of the team's season was canceled after an 11-7 loss to No. 3 Cornell March 21, and head coach Mike Pressler was forced to resign. Evans, Finnerty and Seligmann were all named as defendants.
Inconsistencies in the case began to develop, however, and Mangum's testimony was called into question by Kim Roberts—a second stripper in attendance at the party. In addition, Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong was found to have falsely reported the results of DNA tests and intimidated witnesses. Nifong was removed from the case and eventually disbarred.
On April 11, 2007, North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper dropped all charges against Evans, Finnerty and Seligmann, more than a year after the party.
"Fantastic Lies" will air March 13 at 9 p.m.
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