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Duke Rape Accuser Stands By Her Story

Crystal Mangum releases book on her life and ordeal

By Drew Nelles, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 23, 2008 5:51 PM CDT

(Newser) – The woman at the center of the dismissed Duke rape case still insists she was assaulted, the Raleigh News & Observer reports. As she promoted her new self-published book, The Last Dance for Grace: The Crystal Mangum Story, the former escort service dancer asserted "without equivocation" that members of the lacrosse team assaulted her. Now she says she wants to help others with her story, but an opposing attorney isn't buying it.

The players were cleared after it was revealed that the district attorney withheld DNA evidence exonerating them. One of their lawyers described Mangum’s foray into publishing as “really pathetic,” arguing that "what she's continuing to do by lying is continuing to hurt people, including women who really are victims of sexual assault. She's clearly doing this to make money."

[Images (4)]

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Crystal Mangum's publisher and co-author Vincent Clark advises her in Durham, N.C., on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Sara D. Davis)

Reade Seligmann was one of the three former Duke lacrosse players cleared of rape charges. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong spent a day in prison for his handling of the Duke rape case. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, Pool)

Crystal Mangum, the alleged victim in the Duke lacrosse rape case, wipes away a tear during a press conference on the release of her book The Last Dance for Grace: The Crystal Mangum Story. (AP Photo/Sara D. Davis)

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I'm not just someone who tried to frame someone who is innocent of sexual assault. My only intentions were for justice, and I wanted justice for myself. - Crystal Mangum

She says she's writing this book to help other people, and what she's continuing to do by lying is continuing to hurt people, including women who really are victims of sexual assault. - attorney Joe Cheshire

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Duke Rape Accuser Stands By Her Story