Thursday, December 28, 2006

Swearing DA Nifong

(Readers Note: This post initially incorrectly said Nifong's predecessor as Durham DA was current Superior Court Judge Ron Stephens. Nifong's predecessor was current Superior Court Judge Jim Hardin. The post has been corrected to reflect that.

I'm sorry for my error. John)


No, I’m not talking about those times Durham DA Mike Nifong has lost his temper and screamed foul words.

I’m talking about Nifong’s swearing in when he takes his oath of office for his first full term as Durham DA.

According to Nifong’s office, the swearing in is scheduled for Jan. 2 at 8 A.M. in Courtroom #1 on the fifth floor of the Durham County Courthouse.

(Geez, John, couldn’t you have gotten us a more reliable source than Nifong’s office? Even on something like the time and place of his own swearing in, we don't trust him.)

I understand, folks, but I did my best.

Moving on.

I couldn’t find out who will swear Nifong in. “We haven’t been told that yet,” the spokesperson said.

I wonder who it will be.

Nifong was appointed by NC’s Governor Mike Easley to fill the unexpired term of his predecessor, Jim Hardin, when Hardin became a Superior Court Judge.

Superior Court Judge Ron Stephens, under whom Nifong had served as an Assistant DA swore Nifong in to fill what remained of Hardin's term.

Stephens later signed the order for DNA testing and photographing the 46 white Duke students. Stephens also initially sealed the indictments of Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann until they were attested and handcuffed.

I don't think Stephens will swear Nifong in this time.

Too many memories.

It will be interesting to see who shows up and who stays away from Courtroom #1 next Tuesday.

For those of you who appreciate irony and what time's passing reveals there's this: The Durham Herald Sun is running a Top Ten Stories of 2006 series. It's one story each day counting down to number one.

Today the H-S offered story number four: "District attorney race hotly contested." There's a color photo above the headline. It shows a smiling Mike Nifong on election night, Nov. 7, hugging a supporter.

The story carries reporter John "Anything for Mike" Stevenson's byline. The story's very brief and interesting for all it leaves out. Take a look.

Back to Nifong’s Jan. 2 swearing in

Anyone want to bet on his chances of finishing out the full four years of his term?

My opinion: He won't make it. His malfeasance will force him from office. I just can't say the particular form his leaving will take.

I feel about Nifong the way I felt about Nixon in 1973 and 74: "He's going. It’s just a question of how."

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

John,

This is pathetic. I cannot imagine Nifong taking office with a straight face. Let's hope he will not be there too long.

All the best,
Duke Parent

Anonymous said...

It be good to compare the "oath of office" with actions in this case.

Anonymous said...

Does the DA have to swear to protect the constitution? Did he have to swear that when Judge Stephens swore him in when he was appointed? Is it perjury if he lies?

Anonymous said...

Maybe a contingent of supporters of the three young men ought to be there wearing armbands. After all, it is a public event in a public building.

Anonymous said...

He will not make it pass June. Indictment before the year is out. prison time, for sure. You want to be the husband or the wife?
Kemp

Anonymous said...

May I ask if he will swear on the Bible? If he does it'll probably burst into flames.

p.s. The "Auld lang syne" song you asked for is in the can. I'll be adding it to whatever comments are available on 31 January.

Anonymous said...

The best ending would be his going directly from the swearing-in to the crowbar motel. Alas, we will have to wait, but the more he drags out this nonsense, the worse it is for him.

Tom said...

Nifong is a political idiot and a pathetic prosecutor

Anonymous said...

I can't beleive that the state doesn't postpone the "swearing"in of District Atty while he is under investigation. How much more embarrassment must Durham endure?