Yes, the three accused Duke lacrosse players—David Evans, Reade Seligmann, and Colin Finnerty—did file a lawsuit against Duke University.
In 2009, they filed a civil lawsuit against the university, alleging that they had been unfairly treated during the 2006 rape allegations and that Duke had violated their rights. The lawsuit claimed that Duke's administrators, including President Richard Brodhead and others, had rushed to judgment and publicly condemned them without proper investigation. The players argued that Duke had caved to public pressure and media sensationalism, leading to their wrongful suspension and the university's failure to protect their reputations during the highly charged case.
Allegations of Defamation and Violation of Rights: The players argued that the university’s actions defamed them and caused significant harm to their reputations. They also contended that Duke had infringed upon their due process rights by suspending them without proper investigation or cause, in effect treating them as guilty before their innocence was proven.
Settlement: In 2009, the lawsuit was settled out of court. While the terms of the settlement were not fully disclosed, it was reported that the university agreed to pay a financial settlement to the players. The settlement did not include an admission of wrongdoing on Duke's part.
Impact on the Lacrosse Program and the University: Although the lawsuit was settled, it highlighted the significant fallout from the case for both the players and the university. The Duke lacrosse program was temporarily suspended, and several individuals associated with the university (including the lacrosse coach) faced consequences. The players’ reputations were severely affected by the public nature of the case, despite being exonerated later on.
The case remains a pivotal moment in Duke University's history, raising broader issues about due process, the role of universities in addressing allegations, and the consequences of public opinion and media coverage in legal matters.
Key Points of the Lawsuit: