Reading between the lines

Interesting article on the latest developments in the Duke rape case in today's N&O, especially if you like to read between the lines.

Seligmann’s lawyer, Kirk Osborn, said Tuesday after his clients pre-dawn arrest that he would make no comments beyond averring his client’s innocence.

Cotter said Tuesday that police searched Finnerty’s dorm room Tuesday night and said he believed they also served a search warrant in Seligmann’s room in the Edens dormitory. Cotter said it is unusual for authorities to serve a search warrant on someone who has already been indicted.

The warrant had not yet been returned to court officials early Wednesday afternoon.

Cotter said he does not know what evidence Nifong has beyond the accuser’s identification of the men she said attacked her.

Finnerty, who was with his father, Kevin Finnerty, in a routine court appearance Tuesday, has left Durham, Cotter said.

Cotter said Finnerty is innocent and the only way the charges against his client will be resolved is through a dismissal of the case or an aquittal at trial.

“I don’t think there’s any chance in hell that there’s going to be a guilty plea in all this,” Cotter said.

Notice what's missing?

No mention of the alibi evidence that defense attorneys were leaking to the press yesterday. Why do you suppose that is?

Notice what's new?

Defense attorney Cotter denying that there's any chance his client will plead guilty. Wow. Has there been any suggestion until now that anyone is even considering a guilty plea? The defense has been contending all along that no crime was even committed. So why all of a sudden the need to deny that his client might plead guilty?

full disclosure - Bill Cotter represented me some years ago in a court proceeding. Details on request.