A year ago, his star seemed to be on the rise. Having been appointed to complete the term of the former Durham (North Carolina) district attorney, he'd latched onto a high-profile case: the rape of a black exotic dancer by three white members of the Duke University lacrosse team. On the whole the public, both black and white, believed the defendants were guilty. The media, both local and national, believed the defendants were guilty. The defendants were indicted, and Nifong was well on his way to being elected for a full term and after that… well, who knows? Brilliant political careers have begun with cases like this.

It didn't work out that way.

As the case began to unravel, Nifong recused himself. Charges against the defendants were subsequently dropped and last Tuesday, the North Carolina Bar began ethics hearings that ended with the decision to strip Nifong of his license to practice law. Just before that decision was made, Nifong announced plans to resign as district attorney next month, but this past Monday a Superior Court judge ordered him removed from office immediately.

The defendants will almost certainly file civil lawsuits against Nifong.

Criminal contempt charges are likely.

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