Crystal Mangum's shocking revelation about the infamous 2006 Duke Lacrosse case has drawn attention from prominent figures, including President-elect Donald Trump.
According to The Daily Wire, Mangum, now 46, has admitted to fabricating rape allegations against three Duke University lacrosse players during a recent interview from the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women.
The confession comes after nearly two decades of maintaining her original story. Mangum, currently serving time for an unrelated 2011 murder conviction, expressed remorse for her actions and sought forgiveness from the falsely accused students - David Evans, Collin Finnerty, and Reade Seligmann.
During her interview with Katerena DePasquale, Mangum acknowledged her deception. She revealed that her false testimony stemmed from a desire for validation from others rather than divine approval.
In response to the confession, Trump took to social media, emphasizing the devastating impact on the young men's lives. The case cannot be prosecuted for perjury due to North Carolina's two-year statute of limitations on such charges.
The original incident occurred at a party where Mangum worked as a stripper. Following an altercation with another performer, she fabricated the rape allegations to avoid being committed to a mental health facility, fearing she would lose custody of her child.
Then-Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong played a crucial role in perpetuating the false allegations. Seeking re-election, he manipulated the case despite glaring inconsistencies in Mangum's claims.
Nifong's misconduct included suppressing exculpatory DNA evidence and pressuring Mangum to identify suspects from a lineup. His actions led to severe consequences, including disbarment and a one-day jail sentence.
The case gained significant attention when one accused student, Seligmann, provided substantial evidence proving his absence from the party during the alleged assault. His alibi included ATM records, surveillance footage, cell phone data, and witness testimony.
In early 2007, North Carolina Democratic Governor Roy Cooper and the state Attorney General's office took the rare step of declaring the three students innocent. This declaration marked a significant departure from typical rape case resolutions.
Mangum's confession marks a dramatic reversal from her previous stance. Even after the allegations were proven false, she maintained her version of events, going so far as to publish a book about her claimed experience.
Currently, Mangum remains incarcerated for the 2011 murder of her boyfriend, Reginald Daye. She received a 14-17 year sentence and is scheduled for release on February 27, 2026.
Crystal Mangum's admission from prison reveals the complete fabrication of the 2006 Duke Lacrosse rape allegations that wrongfully accused three students. Her confession, made during an interview at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women, exposed how false allegations and political ambition combined to create a devastating miscarriage of justice. While the accused students were ultimately declared innocent, the incident's impact on their lives and the broader discussion about false allegations continue to resonate nearly two decades later.
