Crystal Gail Mangum
Crystal Gail Mangum accused three Duke lacrosse players of raping her on March 13, 2006. The charges were later dropped, the players were declared innocent, and District Attorney Mike Nifong was disbarred for his conduct in handling the case. At an October 23, 2008, press conference to promote her newly published memoir, Mangum continued to insist that she was attacked.1
Fast Facts
- Born: July 18, 1978
- Birthplace: Durham, North Carolina
- Alma Mater: North Carolina Central University
- Military Service: U.S. Navy
- Children: Two
- Occupation: Exotic dancer
- Ex-husband: Kenneth McNeill
Early Life
A native of Durham, North Carolina, Mangum approached police in 1996, claiming to have been kidnapped and raped by three men three years earlier when she was 14. She declined to pursue the case, but that year joined the U.S. Navy and soon after married and became pregnant by a fellow sailor. In 1998, Mangum accused her then-husband Kenneth McNeill of attempting to kill her; again, the charges were dropped after she declined to pursue the case.2
The Party
In March 2006, Mangum, working as an exotic dancer, was hired to perform at a party accompanied by fellow stripper Kim Roberts. Mangum told police later that night that players at the party had cornered her into a bathroom where they sexually assaulted and raped her. However, DNA samples gathered from Mangum the night of the alleged attack matched none of the players at the house, but instead revealed that at least three other men had recently left DNA in her vagina and on her underwear.3
After the Ruling
More than 18 months after charges were dropped against the Duke University lacrosse players, Mangum's book, The Last Dance for Grace: The Crystal Mangum Story, was released. During an October 23, 2008, press conference to promote the memoir, Mangum continued to insist that she was attacked. Mangum plans to donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book to help battered women.1
Related Pages on Mahalo
Duke Rape Case | Mike Nifong | Domestic Violence | Duke University | Duke Lacrosse Players Sue | North Carolina
Categories
