DURHAM, N.C., Oct. 31 (UPI) -- A black player on Duke University's lacrosse team claims stereotyping is part of the prosecution in Durham, N.C., of three white teammates facing rape charges.
In an interview with ABC News, Devon Sherwood, the only black player on the lacrosse team, said because the stripper who claims she was raped while working a team house party is black and the three defendants are white, reverse discrimination is at play.
"It's just amazing that the things you see and that (were) going on in this case and how the reversal from black stereotype to now rich white, privileged stereotype," Sherwood said.
Sherwood said he left the March 2005 party in Durham early as he found it boring but said he had full faith that none of his 46 teammates would have sexually assaulted the stripper.
"I don't hesitate," he said. "I believe in the character of my teammates."
Colin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann were the first to be indicted, followed by Duke lacrosse captain Dave Evans. Evans graduated and Finnerty and Seligmann are suspended from the team because of the charges against them.
Their trial is expected to begin next spring.
