Crystal Mangum Admits to Fabricating Duke Lacrosse Rape Allegations

Crystal Mangum, whose 2006 accusations against three Duke men’s lacrosse players sparked a national controversy, has publicly admitted that her claims were false. Speaking from the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women, where she is serving a sentence for second-degree murder, Mangum made the admission during an interview on the web show “Let’s Talk with Kat” hosted by Katerena DePasquale.

“I testified falsely against them by saying that they raped me when they didn’t, and that was wrong,” Mangum confessed during the interview. “I betrayed the trust of many people who believed in me.”

Mangum explained that her false claims were motivated by a desire for external validation. “I made up a story that wasn’t true because I wanted validation from people and not from God,” she said.

The allegations Mangum made nearly two decades ago led to the arrest of Duke lacrosse players David Evans, Collin Finnerty, and Reade Seligmann. Her accusations disrupted their lives, canceled Duke’s 2006 lacrosse season, and led to the resignation of coach Mike Pressler. The district attorney handling the case was later convicted of criminal contempt and disbarred for his conduct.

Seeking Forgiveness

Mangum expressed regret and extended an emotional plea to the three men she falsely accused. “I want them to know that I love them, and they didn’t deserve that,” she said. “I hope that they can forgive me.”

Despite her admission, neither Duke University nor the three players have issued public statements regarding Mangum’s remarks. According to the Duke student newspaper, the university’s athletics department declined to comment, and the school’s leadership from that time has remained silent.

Legal Fallout and Exoneration

In 2007, then-Attorney General Roy Cooper, now the governor of North Carolina, exonerated the three players, stating that the charges should never have been filed. Following their exoneration, the players reached a confidential settlement with Duke University. Additionally, the city of Durham resolved a lawsuit filed by the players in 2014, agreeing to pay $50,000 to the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission.

Mangum’s interview marks a significant chapter in a case that highlighted flaws in the justice system and brought scrutiny to media coverage of high-profile allegations.