Source: Duke Suspends Two Lacrosse Players

April 19, 2006 -- -- Two lacrosse players arrested on rape and kidnapping charges have been suspended by Duke University, a source familiar with the investigation told ESPN on Wednesday.

Reade Seligmann, a sophomore from Essex Fells, N.J., and Collin Finnerty, a sophomore from Garden City, N.Y., will be suspended until the case is resolved, the source said.

Attorney Bill Cotter, who represents Finnerty, said his client has left Durham, although he wouldn't say where he went. Attorney Kirk Osborn, representing Seligmann, declined to answer questions about his client, including his whereabouts and whether he has been suspended.

Seligmann and Finnerty were indicted Monday on charges of first-degree rape, sexual offense and kidnapping. Each posted $400,000 bond after their pre-dawn arrests early Tuesday, and both were released within hours. Their attorneys have denied the charges and said the men are innocent.

A 27-year-old student at a nearby college told police she was attacked by three white men at a house where she and another woman were hired to dance at a party of lacrosse team members the night of March 13.

Cotter also rejected any sort of deal with prosecutors, proclaiming again his client's innocence.

"I don't think there is any chance in hell that there will be a guilty plea," Cotter said. "I can't tell you about [everybody], but my client's case is either going to be dismissed by the D.A. or go to trial."

The school has declined to say whether it plans to discipline either of the players, although officials noted the university has historically suspended students charged with a felony.

Police searched the dorm rooms of Seligmann and Finnerty on Tuesday.

District Attorney Mike Nifong said Tuesday he also hoped to link a third man to the alleged attack soon, but he said that person had not been "identified with certainty."

Lawyers for the players have assailed the district attorney for bringing the charges after DNA tests had failed to connect any of the team members to the alleged rape.