Durham —
High-profile attorneys representing three former Duke University lacrosse players falsely accused of rape and sexual assault met Wednesday with legal counsel for the City of Durham about a possible civil rights lawsuit.
A city spokeswoman confirmed last month that civil attorneys for David Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann contacted the city about, but it was not known who would be named in any complaint.
"At this point, it is inappropriate to comment regarding the meeting and possible claims," Durham public affairs director Amy Blalock said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon.
Attorneys for the city were to brief Durham City Council members Thursday at 11 a.m. in a closed meeting.
Attorneys for the falsely accused former lacrosse players had no comment Wednesday, but Finnerty's father, Kevin Finnerty, said he sees the potential litigation as a way to hold the city accountable.
"If there were crimes committed and these people truly did things criminally and wrong, and they're responsible, then they're responsible," he said.
Seligmann retained New York attorney Barry Scheck, who helped defend O.J. Simpson in his highly publicized 1995 murder trial, to represent him.
Evans and Finnerty retained Washington D.C. attorneys Christopher Manning and Brendan V. Sullivan Jr. – who received attention for representing Lt. Col. Oliver North in the Iran-Contra scandal.
"We do have civil counsel. They are also excellent," Kevin Finnerty said. "We are following their lead."
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http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1777604/