On Monday, a grand jury indicted one of the captains of the Duke University lacrosse team, Dave Forker Evans, who graduated Sunday from the university. The jury charged Evans with rape, first degree sexual offense and kidnapping, which are the same charges two other previously indicted lacrosse players face. Evans lived in the house where the alleged rape and beating of a black stripper took place during a lacrosse team party in March. The case has ignited racial tensions and strained relations between the predominantly black Duke area residents and members of the predominantly white Duke campus. Evans gave a statement before turning himself in to the authorities, stating that he was "absolutely innocent of all the charges against me today" and that "these allegations are lies, fabricated, and they will be proven wrong." Defense lawyers for the Duke team maintain that all the players are innocent, citing DNA tests that have found no match between the 46 players tested and the accuser.
Sigma Delta sorority and the Gay/Straight Alliance hosted a discussion on "Women, Athletics and Lesbianism" last night at Sigma Delt. The discussion focused on the stereotypes associated with each topic and featured stories from five women who spoke about their experiences. According to event organizer Arielle Rodman '07, the discussion aimed to spark conversation about the unique challenges gay athletes, especially women, face while competing.
Pennsylvania's 10th district congressional representative, Don Sherwood '63, who is currently serving his fourth term, faces Kathy Scott today in his district's Republican primary. Sherwood characterized his three main accomplishments while serving in Congress as cracking down on methamphetamine production, distributing and receiving funding for local highway projects and fighting for dairy farmers. He cited the Milk Income Loss Contract as one of his most successful pieces of legislation, stating in an interview with The Daily Review of Towanda, Pa., that the bill would "protect our Bradford County dairy farmers in times of low milk prices." The legislation offers federal payments for dairy farmers when milk prices go below a pre-set level. "Our rural economy is very important," Sherwood said. "With me being a national voice for Northeastern agriculture and dairy farmers ... I can continue to do things to protect Northeastern agriculture."
