DURHAM, N.C., Nov. 29 (UPI) -- A judge has given the city of Durham, N.C., more time to respond to a lawsuit filed by three Duke lacrosse players who were falsely accused of sexual assault.
Dave Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann filed suit in federal court in Greensboro this month, alleging that former Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong, the city of Durham, the DNA laboratory hired by the disbarred former prosecutor and numerous police officials conspired to charge them falsely with rape.
Judge James Beatty Jr. gave lawyers for the city and the others until Jan. 15 to file any motions to dismiss and other responses to the allegations. The previous deadline was Dec. 10, The Raleigh (N.C.) News & Observer reported Thursday.
The suit charges that the defendants conspired to charge the players even though they knew the alleged victim's claims were "a total fabrication" contradicted by physical evidence, documentary evidence, other witnesses and the accuser herself.
