According to a News and Observer (Raleigh, NC) article, Durham police have made two arrests and charges in connection to the Duke Lacrosse Team rape scandal. The two team members arrested and charged are Reade Seligmann and Collin Finnerty. They have been charged with first degree forcible rape, first degree sexual offense and kidnapping and their bonds have been set at $400,000.
I find it interesting that Colllin Finnerty (pictured right) is one of the boys involved in this case. In past posts (here, here and here) I have told you all about his experience as a gay basher… is it any surprise that one hate leads to another (that being anti-gay hate leading to the abuse and degrading of a woman).
Welcome to InterstateQ.com, the commentary and opinion blog of civic journalist and progressive, LGBT activist Matt Comer. Hailing from Winston-Salem, N.C., Matt, 26, now lives in Charlotte, where he works as editor of 
Come on now, the evidence against these guys (on the rape charge) is pretty thin (based on what we know). Having witnessed an eerily similar situation at the University of Georgia four years ago when two basketball players and one football player were aquitted of rape (the girl turned out to be angry and lying) – I can’t rush to judgment on high-profile rape cases.
But, I think homophobia is integral to the “jock culture”
How many athletes are openly gay in mens collegiate and professional sports? Why not? Because of the homophobic jock culture…
I’ve been following this story so closely for two reasons: (1) It is happening only one hour from the place I live, and (2) The intersections of hate and prejudice are seen more clearly and blatantly in this case than in any other time I can personally think of.
The connections between white privilege, male privilege, racism, sexism, homophobia, wealth, etc. etc. are clear, or at least I think they are.
Let me also add that, as of right now, no one, including me, knows whether or not these guys are guilty. I just think it is interesting that a gay-basher is, whoops big surprise, involved in another act motivated by prejudice and bias of some sort or another.
How ironic. Old Collin Finnerty was charged with beating a gay man in D.C., apparently steming from his homophobic views, and now good old homophobic Collin will have to become someones “girlie boy” in prison. There is a God afterall.
Kevin,
That’s quite sick.
There is definitely a connection between white privilege and racism, sexism, and homophobia. But I’m not sure you’re going to find a solid connection between one who spews hate out of their mouth and rape.
Big difference between being tried for a crime that could get you near Life in prison versus a crime (though still offensive) that gets one (through good lawyering) mere community service. Misdemeanor v. Felony.
And Rape is not necessarily a crime motivated by prejudice or bias. It is so only if they raped the girl because she was black…
You have no right or experience to judge Collin and Reade. They are the nicest kids I know and it it abosolutely horrible that thier lives are being ruined all because of a re-election campaign.
Gays, blacks, whites, rich, poor, or any group should not be discriminated or judged. Meet every person with an open mind.
Embrace Diversity!!
Wow. Collin Finnerty is INNOCENT. Kevin, you’re absolutely disgusting. Collin will be proven not-guilty. “There is a God afterall.”
You all should be ashamed of yourselves. You are all an embarassment to humanity and know absolutely nothing about the situation beyond what facts have been taken out of context through the press. Think for yourself or you will continue to sound ignorant. Kevin, what do you know about God?
-Christopher Max Cox
Not sure who is an embarassment but…
The complete facts to this case are unknown. More than likely, we won’t know the facts until the Discovery process has begun (assuming there is a trial).
Maybe a rape occurred. Maybe it didn’t. I don’t know. Nobody knows. The situation only worsened when the DNA results came back after the Prosecutor guaranteed DNA evidence (i.e. fluids, fingernails in skin, etc..).
Whether a rape occurred or not – the Prosecutor will have a hard time getting a conviction. All humans are equal in the eyes of God but in the eyes of the Public – a stripper has much less credibility than a Duke-educated student.
It does seem that Durham has become a circus. On one hand you’ve got Jesse Jackson offering to pay through RAINBOW/PUSH for the accusers education and on the other you’ve got right-wingers like Michael Savage calling the accuser the “Durham Dirtbag”.
For the sake of all rape victims, present and future, I surely hope this won’t turn into another Tawana Brawley situation…
Majority of rape victims (around 82%) had no DNA evidence, it all boiled down to identifying the person(S) involved, witnesses and other forms of evidence.
Now, I certainly hope that these boys (if guilty or innocent) thinks there are better than anyone else because they came from top-notch private/catholic (christian) schools, and million-dollar home neighborhoods. The incident in DC actually has something to do with a battle that have going on within themselves, it can also be envious reactions. For someone to like something so much that they hate it. It happens.
Generally, I hope that this situation doesn’t escalate into anything dirty and hopefully the NAACP won’t have to get involved (because they don’t play no games, they are about business!). Hopefully people can view this with an open-mind, because this case is going to swing people from every which-way and direction. I think there may be a whole lot more in store soon. Stay tuned.
Lacrosse players typically aren’t poor. It’s a sport that is often played only at private schools – especially Catholics.
But – the two guys who were arrested lived in 1 million dollar homes. And they are from where – New York/New Jersey? I’m sure its a nice home in a safe neighborhood but a 1 million dollar home in New York is SIGNIFICANTLY smaller than a 1 million dollar home in Durham.
As for the people like Jesse Jackson. Please see what black columnist and talk show host had to say yesterday…
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/columnists/stephen_a_smith/14364877.htm
“How ironic. Old Collin Finnerty was charged with beating a gay man in D.C., apparently steming from his homophobic views, and now good old homophobic Collin will have to become someones “girlie boy†in prison. There is a God afterall.”
sovo.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=6252
If it wasn’t a hate crime it wasn’t because he HATED homosexuals.
Never said that it was a hate crime. I’m only saying that the DC attack was motivated by prejudice and hate in some small part. There is a reason why the slurs he used are called “ANTI-gay”.
AS to the rape… Weave is right. It does not necessarily have to be motivated by hate or prejudice. This case at Duke, however, has managed to bring up a lot of underlying issues in the Durham and North Carolina communities. Also, rape is generally known as something a person does in order to show power and control over another person. The rape of woman (or a man for that matter) tells that person that she or he is powerless and worthless.
If these boys did this (and I haven’t said either way) they need to be punished to the full extent of the law. If they didn’t do this I still think that at least Collin needs some serious help. From comments made here and from things circling around the media it is definitely clear that Collin has problems including problems with LGBT people and maybe even some problems with racism and sexism.
Collin Finnerty is one of the nicest, kindest, and sweetest boys that I have ever met. Yes he did make a mistake in Georgetown last november. Yes he shouldnt have been calling that man names. But he is in NO way a homophobic, racist, sexist or any of the other hateful names that yall are calling him. He went to an all boys school for gods sake. And Kevin you make me sick. You dont know this boy and for you to be wishing such awful things on him is disgusting. Hes innocent and soon you will be seeing this
Collin Finnerty is not a gay-basher and does not degrade women. You would understand if you knew him personally and did not take the twisted viewpoints of the media. Collin has been targeted unfairly because he has been labeled as someone with a past that has a priveledged life. The truth is that Collin was arrested for assaulting a man in Washington, D.C. Could he have been defending himself from an attack by the “victim” who falsely claimed he was called derogatory names by Collin? That is a strong possibility. The Collin Finnerty that I know is a kind, calm, respectful man with strong morals. Evidence supports that he was not at the house at the time of the assault and is only being targeted because of things that are against his favor. I find it ridiculous that Nifong claims that he has evidence against Collin Finnerty. It’s unfortunate that Collin reputation as great kid is going to be tarnished by these false allegations and the media stories that depict him as a rich, white, northern, violent man; it is quite a shame.
to “you should all be ashamed of yourselves”
could you clarify this statement?
–But he is in NO way a homophobic, racist, sexist or any of the other hateful names that yall are calling him. He went to an all boys school for gods sake.–
How does attending an all boys school exempt one from being capable of homophobic, racist, or sexist behavior? Please enlighten us.
No one on this site knows whether Finnerty did or did not rape the exotic dancer in Durham.
What is known is the following:
Finnerty was arrested on November 5 for assaulting a man who said he was taunted by anti-gay epithets. The man’s lip was cut and his jaw bruised when Finnerty and two companions allegedly battered him. Finnerty’s lawyer, who has vehemently denied the rape charge, has not denied this charge, saying only that Finnerty agreed to community service as a result of the episode.
The Duke administration was apprised of this incident and informed Coach Pressler. Duke left the matter in Pressler’s hands, and Pressler decided it warranted no action. Finnerty continued to represent Duke as an athlete.
In December 2005, Duke Executive Vice President, Tallman Trask, reviewed the lacrosse team’s record of violations and arrests and found them to be excessive in number. However, Dean of Student Affairs Sue Wasiolek just this week said none of the incidents, taken alone, were “serious.”
I conclude from this that the Duke administration does not view gay bashing as “serious.”
This reminds me of an incident in the late 1970′s at Duke when I was a law student there. One homecoming weekend, the ATO fraternity (the “jock” fraternity) hung a bedsheet outside their dormitory windows reading, “WE HATE FAGS”. This was a university-owned building facing the main residential quadrangle right across from the Student Union — a very high-traffic area.
The Duke Gay Alliance protested to the Office of Student Affairs and was told, in essence, that “boys will be boys”. The banner remained on display.
Sue Wasiolek and the Duke administration apparently continue to keep that tradition of intolerance alive and to let jock hormones set the tone of life on campus.
Nothing about this current mess at Duke leaves me surprised.
We don’t know if they are innocent or proven guilty….
BUT
The DA sure seems to think so. Looks like this is a simple case of some snot-nosed upper-class kids who think they are “untouchable” and that mommy and daddy will bail them out of this. Has happened before and I’m sure they thought they couldn’t be “touched.”
Every dog has his day and these two dogs days have just begun….
Here’s what I find “ironic” –> Finnerty has a criminal record for an “assault-type” crime. But, his own teammates are on this blogspot defending him. Jeffrey Dahmer seemed soooooo innocent, Charles Manson seemed sooooo harmless, Ted Bundy seemed soooo charming, the BK Killer seemed sooooo unlikely to commit his crimes. And I’m sure Finnerty seems soooooo nice like he would NEVER do this… I’m SURE you stupid Duke pinheaded-lacrosse players thought the same thing when you defended his assault arrest….
Are all you players that stuck on yourselves or has the w*ed clouded your brains so much that you fail to realize YOU DON’T HAVE A SEASON TO PLAY because of your stupidity. Stop defending a possible RAPIST and start thanking your lucky stars you have air to breathe. Call your moms and dads and tell them you love them and that your are thankful they put you on this earth.
There will come a day when money won’t help you in your lives. Finnerty is realizing that right now….. His life (innocent or guilty) is going to change forever……
What goes around comes around you snot-nosed SEASON-LESS elitests….
Wow Scott.
You really do hate the so-called “rich”
As I’ve stated before – the two boys aren’t exactly rich. A 1 million dollar home in New York/New Jersey is far from a mansion. They aren’t poor either. Did I hear one of their fathers is a fireman? Comfortable middle class.
And I seriously doubt any of the above posters are his teammates. I have a feeling any person who ever met either of the accused or went to high school with them etc.. are online across the country being supportive. Communities and quasi-friends support their own.
Again. These guys have been accused. And if you believe the Defense attorneys and the media – they SEEM to look more innocent every day.
But get off the money kick. Big difference between rich and comfortable middle class.
Please keep in mind who the victim is (Black Female). Nice boys do not gang up on another person nor do they gang rape a woman. I feel strongly that a rape did occur and I am sure that this wasn’t the first time something like this has happened. Hopefully, justice will prevail.
Be careful about trying to draw conclusions at this point from anything the attorneys on either side say, Big Daddy.
The defense attorneys are starting the process of trying to create reasonsable doubt in the minds of any potential jurors by peppering the media with those tidbits of information that they can later spin in their clients’ favor. And the District Attorney, at least in the early days after the allegation was made, was trying to create a sense in the minds of potential jurors that a crime, in fact, occurred.
I find it interesting that Seligman seems on first blush to have the most serviceable evidence that he was elsewhere and that his attorney is staying relatively quiet. Finnerty seems to have a more problematic case on two fronts: a less solid alibi and his history of the earlier attack in Washington. Consequently, his attorney is much more active — almost shrill, in fact — in lodging protests about the DA’s conduct with the media and in asserting claims that, from a legal perspective, are not nearly as relevant as he wants the lay public to believe. (For instance, conclusive DNA evidence is seldom present in rapes. The presence of DNA evidence can go a long way toward securing a conviction. The absence of DNA evidence doesn’t go very far in proving something did not happen. Once the real uses and limitations of DNA evidence are laid out to a jury in a controlled courtroom environment, this absence of DNA evidence will not amount to much by way of defense . . . if the other evidence is strong.)
My guess is that this case is not going to be open and shut once it gets before the jury. They may very well conclude the woman was raped at that party but have trouble ascertaining who did exactly what in those critical 30 minutes.
This one’s going to be a mess, and it’s way too early for anyone to be concluding guilt or innocence, unless the agenda is to pillory people one doesn’t like for other reasons.
On a personal note, I have no sympathy for Finnerty’s plight because I think his character was revealed in the Washington incident. If he is innocent of the rape, I hope he is acquitted. But I have to admit I personally relish the hell he’s going through right now.
Seligman leaves me more in a quandary.
just to respond to scott’s comment…WHOA you have a skewed opinion of this case…none of you know colin finnerty or his character so it is pretttttay ballsy of you to compare him to TED BUNDY who is one of the craziest murderers alive. soooooo, i think you need to watch what you say if you dont want to seem like a huge dickhead. and oh do you go to Duke? Oh, are you on the Duke lax team? YEAH i didnt think so sooooo scott go on some other site and post your naive and ignorant comments there…no one wants to read them here. Kisses, thanks a bunch.
oh scott, sorry something slipped my mind –
“Every dog has his day and these two dogs days have just begun…” written by YOU…..holyyy potato puff! you are just sooooo rude, how old are you to compare these boys to DOGS…thank you for just proving to everyone how ignorant people in this country are. you bring disgrace to every american. WAY TO GO bud, way to fing go.
Barbara Ann:
If a person’s character cannot be judged by his actions, then what is the measure of character?
Collin Finnerty and two of his companions physically assaulted a man standing on a sidewalk after taunting him about appearing gay. (Note that Finnerty’s lawyer, while loudly protesting the rape charges, has acknowledged that Finnerty accepted placement into a diversionary program instead of contesting the assault charge.)
I would say this illuminates at least three aspects of Finnerty’s character. He has no sense of a fair fight, as manifested by a 3-on-1 assault. He thinks that people of whom he does not approve have no right to go about their business in peace. And he thinks that anyone large and aggressive enough (he’s 6’3″) should be able to use physical force to impose their wills on others.
Hmmmm . . . I just realized this also describes the allegations at the party in Durham. The hurling of verbal insults, followed by a 3-on-1 assault by men who think their physical prowess gives them the right to do as they please. But I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.
Poor Collin. His young life seems to be marked by unfortunate coincidences. Just 19 years old and already arrested twice for assaulting someone. What a damnable run of bad luck. Especially for a boy with the sterling character those who know him so admire. I mean, really . . . how can a little gay bashing incident be allowed to cast a tarnish on as fine a young man as Collin?
I’m, like, sssoooooo sure all YOUR sorority sisters will agree when you gather for the next beer blast. GO DUKE!!!!!!!!!
OH, Mikey Mikey Mikey, and i thought Scott was ignorant.
It is so funny to me, well, its practically nausiating actually, that you believe everything that you hear on tv. the alleged facts that you are hearing are blurring your reality honey, youre basically forming opinions based on other people’s opinions, those which are based on false evidence. so i’d like to offer a little tid bit of advice, make sure you figure out your story before you humiliate yourself further.
Oh…and one more thing michael, the same way you insinuted that just because i’m defending an innocent young man means i’m in college “beer blasting with my sorority sisters” just proves how you just assume anything to make a stronger case for yourself and your skewed opinions on the trial.
Oh, sorry michael, ONE more thing, pretty sure being married for 38 years with 6 children has given me a pretty clear knowledge of how to judge someone’s character…and yours isn’t looking so grand right about now.
Soooo…like, yeah michael, did your mother teach you to talk to your elders like this? i’m sure she’d be horrified.
The truth will come out soon, it always does.
FREE COLLIN.
As I said quite clearly in an earlier post, no one on this site — myself included — knows whether Finnerty is guilty of rape or not.
You, however, made the categorical statement that Collin is “an innocent young man”. Let us in on the secret. How are you so certain? And what is the “false evidence” to which you refer? How do you know it is false?
It was the arrest in Washington that I relied upon in reaching conclusions about Finnerty’s character, not the rape charge. Regarding the Washington incident . . . Finnerty did not contest it, instead accepting the terms of a diversionary program. Nor did his attorney, in discussing that case in the press, make any claim that Finnerty was improperly charged. (And he has certainly not been shy about making such a claim regarding the rape.) Do you have any information to the contrary?
It may embarrass the position you prefer to take that Finnerty is a fine, upstanding young man — but the fact is that Finnerty was arrested for an assault in which a man was injured. Neither Finnerty nor his lawyer, either at the time of the arrest or since, has contested the facts alleged by the victim.
So, you still haven’t answered my question. If a person’s actions do not illuminate a person’s character, what does? Or do you view gay baiting and physical assault as not relevant to the determination of a person’s character?
FREE COLLIN!
Is that all you have to say Barbara? Mike is trying to be civil and have a good debate and you are only screaming “FREE COLLIN!”
Why don’t you try explaining why you believe what you do and using good arguments to back it up like everyone else? Why must you rely on some elementary school-level slogan?
Well Barbara didn’t really answer Mike’s question, but I think the answer is a yes, but still Mike, you can’t judge everything based on what you saw in the media. The media is the only source to you. I just don’t think you can determine someone’s characteristics precisely if you don’t see every single one of his action. The only source of information you seem to have is that D.C. assault. The obvious result is that you would view him in a negative light. Maybe this is one of very few mistakes he has made in his life. Who knows.
And barbara, although I hope that they would turn out to be innocent and no harm would be done to anyone, how do you know he’s really innocent? Correct me if I’m wrong, but his alibi was that he wasn’t present before the stripper arrived, but I didn’t see any evidence regarding this. If there are any evidence that supports his alibi, that would really help him out a lot, but there isn’t any as of yet. Let’s just wait for the outcome.
I have known Collin Finnerty since he was born. He is and always has been a well mannered and quite frankly a very gentle young man. I believe that the trial in DC will completey vindicate him. He has an excellent defense, let’s leave it at that. In any event, people who have left all of these negative and judgmental comments about a young man who they don’t even know are simply jumping on the bandwagon because of the scurrilous and false innuendo that he is a homophobe. Collin is not a homophobe. There was no gay bashing.
As far as the Duke rape accusations are concerned they are not only false, but are a travesty of justice. How would you like to be falsely accused not once, but twice. Keep your minds open. Justice and truth will prevail
William. I direct you to my most recent post on the gay bashing. The man who was beaten might not be gay, but when you are beating someone up, calling them gay, fag or queer (or any other anti-gay langauge for that matter), then, yes, the situation is inherently anti-gay. Collin may not be the worst homophobe in the world, but he sure does use prejudiced language about gay people now doesn’t he?
I think Colin Finnerty is innocent and I don’t like the way he is being treated and I am ashamed of all of you who have no compassion for a 19 year old kid who hasn’t been tried yet. So what if he is homophobic, aren’t most college athletes. Hell, isn’t most of this country? And finally, I hope he is freed, but I must admit, he is sure cute!