DURHAM, N.C., Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Former North Carolina prosecutor Mike Nifong surrendered Friday to serve one day in jail for contempt in a case against Duke University lacrosse players.
The former Durham district attorney is the first prosecutor in North Carolina history to be convicted for an action taken while serving in the district attorney's office, The Raleigh News & Observer reported Friday.
"The reality of the matter is this is extraordinary," said John Fitzpatrick, a defense lawyer in Durham.
Nifong was accompanied to jail by a crowd of supporters and his wife and son. He made no statement other than to say it was a lovely day and he "just didn't want to talk to reporters anymore," reported WRAL-TV, Raleigh.
Nifong, who has been disbarred, was sentenced to serve one day in the Durham County Detention Facility after a judge found Nifong guilty of criminal contempt for making false statements during a hearing last year.
The case involved rape charges against Duke lacrosse players which since have been dropped.
