DURHAM, NC—In a recent interview from prison, Crystal Mangum, the woman who falsely accused three Duke University lacrosse players of rape in 2006, has publicly confessed to fabricating the allegations. This marks the first time Mangum has admitted to the falsehood of her claims, which had profound legal and social repercussions.
Speaking on the “Let’s Talk with Kat” podcast, Mangum expressed deep remorse for her actions, stating, “I bore false witness against them saying that they raped me when they did not. And that was wrong.” She referred to the accused players—David Evans, Collin Finnerty, and Reade Seligmann—as “brothers” and sought their forgiveness, acknowledging the trust she betrayed.
Mangum explained that her motivations stemmed from a desire for external validation, saying, “I made up a story that wasn’t true because I wanted validation from people and not from God.” She added, “I have hurt my brothers. I want them to know that I love them and that they did not deserve it. I hope they will forgive me.”
The 2006 allegations led to the arrest of the three players and garnered national attention, igniting debates on race, privilege, and justice. The case began to unravel as DNA evidence failed to link the players to Mangum, leading to the dismissal of charges in 2007. The prosecutor, Mike Nifong, was subsequently disbarred for misconduct, including withholding exculpatory evidence.
Currently, Mangum is serving a prison sentence for the 2011 murder of her boyfriend, Reginald Daye. She was convicted of second-degree murder in 2013 and sentenced to 14 to 18 years in prison.
This admission has reopened discussions about the impact of the false allegations on the lives of the accused players and the broader community. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the far-reaching consequences that false claims can have on individuals and institutions.
