Duke lacrosse rape accuser found guilty of second-degree murder
The woman who falsely accused three Duke University lacrosse players of rape has been convicted of second-degree murder.
34-year-old Crystal Mangum’s fate was sealed after a jury found her guilty in the death of her ex-boyfriend 46-year-old Reginald Daye, who was stabbed in 2011. Mangum was sentenced to at least 14 years in prison.
Mangum claimed the stabbing was a case of self-defense, saying Daye was beating her in a jealous rage when she grabbed a knife and “poked him in the side.”
Assistant District Attorney Charlene Franks told the jurors during closing arguments that the evidence did not back up Mangum’s story.
Mangum is known for falsely accusing Duke lacrosse players of gang-rape at a team party where she was hired as a stripper. The case garnered national attention as the coach was forced to resign.
The three players arrested were released and declared innocent after defense attorney’s revealed holes in Mangum’s story. Mike Nifong, the Durham prosecutor who championed the case was later disbarred.
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