In the Duke lacrosse case of 2006, Crystal Gail Mangum, a former exotic dancer and convicted killer from Durham, North Carolina, falsely accused lacrosse players of rape.
While the accused were all white men, the fact that Mangum was a black woman working in the sex industry sparked intense media interest and academic discussion about racism, class, gender, and the politics of the legal system.
What Happened To Crystal Mangum? False Rape Accuser Is Jailed For Murder
Crystal Mangum was accused of being the victim of attempted homicide. She was ultimately found guilty of causing damage to personal property, aiding a child in becoming delinquent, and obstructing a public official.
In November 2013, Crystal was found guilty of second-degree murder for stabbing Reginald Daye, who died ten days later. She claimed she defended herself because she feared Daye would kill her. She received a prison term of 14 to 18 years.
In 2010, just before midnight, Mangum’s daughter, age 9, called Durham police to her house. They claimed that Milton Walker, Mangum’s live-in partner, and they argued when they got there.
She allegedly lit some of his clothes on fire in a bathtub in front of them. Smoke damage to the building was severe. Mangum was taken into custody on suspicion of misdemeanor child abuse, attempted murder, first-degree arson, assault and battery, identity theft, transmitting threats, damage to property, and damaging it.
Mangum was given a jail sentence with a $1 million bond. Later on, in May, it was reduced to $100,000, and she was out of custody to move in with a friend.
The dancer had to wear a gadget for electronic surveillance as she was on house arrest from July 12, 2010, ordered to live with her mother.
Although she was also permitted to see her three kids, it was only under the watchful eyes of social services. On August 25, 2010, Mangum was detained once more and imprisoned on a $150,000 bond for violating the conditions of her child visitation agreement.
Crystal was found guilty of causing damage to property, assisting a public official, and contributing to juvenile delinquency. The verdict of not guilty on the felony arson allegation was 9-3 in favor of the defendant.
Where Is Crystal Mangum Now? Duke Lacrosse Scandal Major Culprit
Crystal Magnum is serving her sentence in prison for second-degree murder after fatally stabbing her boyfriend in 2013.
The aftermath of Magnum’s allegations and the subsequent trial appeared to still be fresh in many universities’ minds frequently dealing with student allegations of sexual assault.
Following all the incidents in Duke Lacrosse Scandal, falsely accused sophomore suspect Collin Finnerty quit Duke and went home for a year before coming back. After that, he finished his degree at Maryland’s Loyola College.
Along with Collin, the prosecution allegedly withdrew the charges against his other two other lacrosse friends who were arrested.
A documentary episode of ESPN’s “30 for 30” series centered on Collin Finnerty’s 2006 case, in which the American legal system came perilously near to collapsing, was also released on March 14, 2018.
