Public statements or interviews in news reports or social media

18 Years Later, Crystal Mangum Admits She Lied About Duke Lacrosse Rape Accusations

Dec 13, 2024, 05:59 PM

Crystal Mangum, the woman who accused three Duke University lacrosse players of raping her at a team party in 2006, has publicly admitted that she fabricated the entire story. In a recent interview from prison, where she is serving a 14 to 18-year sentence for second-degree murder, Mangum confessed that she "made up a story that wasn't true" and expressed hope that the players could forgive her. She explained her reason for lying, stating, "I wanted validation from people and not from God." Due to the statute of limitations, she cannot face perjury charges for her false testimony. The false allegations led to national controversy nearly two decades ago, igniting debates about race, class, and privilege, and resulted in the arrest and eventual exoneration of the players. The case had significant legal and social ramifications, including the disbarment and imprisonment of prosecuting attorney Mike Nifong for misconduct.