Cloud Hangs Over Duke Graduation
May 14, 2006 — -- As Duke University students and faculty gather for today's commencement ceremonies, the lacrosse team rape investigation continues to cast a dark shadow over the campus, leaving many with mixed emotions.
"It's been a cloud over the university," said Jed Carlson, a student. "I'm sure this will help lift the cloud a little bit perhaps. But it's still weighing on the community. I can feel it."
"I think it's on people's minds," said student Mark Sheftall. "It's a topic of conversation, but I don't think it detracts from graduation ceremonies."
New Evidence
This graduation weekend, reports have given new hope to the defense team.
ABC News has learned that DNA obtained from a vaginal swab on the 27-year-old accuser belongs to her boyfriend -- not members of the lacrosse team facing rape charges. The woman's own mother confirmed this.
"Once again there is not a spattering, not a spider web of indication there was any DNA from those boys anywhere around her," said defense attorney Wade Smith.
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